UMAHI SEEKS N2.5BN DAMAGES FROM LINDA IKEJI, OTHERS OVER ALLEGED DEFAMATION

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N2.5 billion in damages from media practitioner Linda Ikeji, Stella Ifeoma Okengwu and Linda Ikeji TV Limited over alleged defamatory publications.

The suit, marked GWD/CV/264/26, was filed on August 24, 2026, at the Abuja Judicial Division of the FCT High Court. Umahi alleges that the defendants published statements and videos concerning him between March 2025 and March 2026 which he considers false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.

According to the case summary, the publications allegedly linked the minister to claims involving bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing and sexual harassment. Umahi also contends that the reports questioned his suitability to continue holding public office.

The minister, through his legal representatives, had reportedly demanded that the publications be removed and that the defendants issue an unreserved public apology. The suit states that the demands were not complied with, prompting Umahi to seek legal redress through the court.

In addition to damages, Umahi is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory and order their removal from social media platforms and other outlets. He is also seeking an injunction preventing the defendants from publishing what he describes as further false and defamatory material against him.

The minister is claiming N500 million in general damages, N2 billion in exemplary damages and N500 million as legal costs, bringing the total monetary claim to N2.5 billion. He is also requesting post-judgment interest of 10 per cent annually until any judgment sum awarded by the court is fully settled.

The case was filed by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria A. J. Owonikoko of Synergy Attorneys. However, the case summary indicated that the defendants had not been served with the writ at the time the document was prepared. The allegations contained in the suit remain claims by Umahi and have not been established by the court, while the defendants will have the opportunity to respond through the judicial process.