Nnamdi Kanu Sues Imo Police Commissioner, Seeks ₦10bn for Defamation

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, over alleged defamation.

The suit, marked CV3179/2025, was filed at the Abuja High Court by Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara. In addition to the ₦10 billion claim for general damages, Kanu is also seeking ₦50 million as exemplary damages, alongside a 10% annual interest on the judgment sum until full payment.

Kanu’s legal team argues that a press statement issued by the Imo CP on July 25 wrongly linked IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to a series of violent attacks in communities across Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Government Area.

In the court documents, Kanu described the allegation as “false, unsubstantiated, speculative, and defamatory.” He is also asking the court to restrain the police from making similar statements in the future and to compel the CP to issue a public retraction and apology in at least two national newspapers and on national television.

Opara maintained that the CP’s comments were made within hours of the attacks without credible evidence, investigation, or subsequent arrests. He further argued that the remarks were prejudicial, given that IPOB’s classification as a terrorist group is still under appeal at the Supreme Court, and Kanu is currently on trial at the Federal High Court for terrorism charges.

According to the statement of claims, the alleged defamatory remarks have caused “serious reputational damage” to Kanu both in Nigeria and internationally, portraying him and IPOB in a negative light.

The case, dated August 12 and filed on August 14, lists Danjuma as the sole defendant.