Kanu’s Lawyer Files N50 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against Anambra Community Leader

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the legal representative of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Independent People of Biafra, has taken Mr. Vincent Dike, President-General of Oraifite Improvement Union in Anambra State, to a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. The lawsuit, with the reference number CV/1224/24, seeks N50 billion in damages for alleged defamation.

Dike, in his capacity as the community leader, addressed members of Oraifite on February 4, 2024, making statements and allegations against Ejiofor. The lawyer claims that Dike’s comments during the press conference were “false, defamatory, and highly injurious,” reaching a broad audience, including professional colleagues, friends, clients, associates, religious leaders, and family members.

Despite a notice for the immediate retraction of the publications sent to Dike, Ejiofor asserts that the community leader has refused to retract the statements, prompting the legal action.

Among the reliefs sought in the lawsuit are a court directive for Dike to publish a full retraction in at least three national dailies with nationwide and global circulation. Additionally, Ejiofor is seeking an explicit apology published in the same manner and a written undertaking from Dike not to publish further libel against him.

The lawsuit also includes a compensatory payment of ₦50 billion as general damages and an additional ₦100 million for the cost of the suit. The legal document, signed by Chinwe Umeche, Head of Chambers/Managing Partner at I.C. Ejiofor – Ugochinyere Chambers, awaits scheduling for a hearing date in court.