Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has instituted a N2.5 billion suit for defamation against media practitioner, Linda Ikeji and Linda Ikeji TV Limited.
The complaint, GWD/CV/264/26, was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division on August 24, 2026, The Guardian reported.
In the case description, Umahi says the defendants disseminated remarks and films about him between March 2025 and March 2026, which he believes are false, malicious and defamatory.
The claimant charges the publications with accusing him of bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misbehaviour, land grabbing, sexual harassment and unsuitable for public office.
Umahi had, through his lawyers, reportedly requested the defendants to retract the publications and tender unreserved public apology. The accused did not satisfy the demand, the case summary said.
Umahi is praying the court in the suit to declare the publications as defamatory and require the defendants to retract the said publications from their social media platforms and other media channels.
He is also seeking an order for the defendants to offer a public apology and an injunction to stop them from disseminating what he calls false and defamatory materials about him.
In the case summary, the minister is asking N500 million as general damages, N2 billion as exemplary damages and N500 million as cost of the suit.
He is also claiming post-judgment interest of 10 per cent per annum until any judgement total is paid in full.
The claim was filed by a team of lawyers led by A. J. Owonikoko, SAN and other distinguished advocates of Nigeria from Synergy Attorneys. Africans & the Diaspora
The case summary said that when the document was prepared the writ had not been served on the defendants.
The charges in the action are claims made by the claimant and have not been proven in court.
The defendants will get their day in court if and when they are served and present their defence.
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