Umahi Drags Linda Ikeji To Court, Demands ₦3bn Over Alleged Defamation

According to court documents filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Umahi alleged that the defendants published and circulated materials between March 2025 and March 2026 which he claimed portrayed him in a damaging and false light.

The suit, filed on August 24, 2026, and marked FCT/CV/264/26, alleges that Okengwu posted a series of videos on Instagram containing accusations against the minister bordering on bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing and sexual harassment.

Umahi further alleged that some of the materials were subsequently amplified through Linda Ikeji’s media platforms and social media channels, exposing the claims to a wider audience.

The minister said he had previously demanded a public retraction, apology and removal of the publications, but alleged that the defendants failed to meet his demands.

He is therefore asking the court to declare the publications false and defamatory, while ordering the defendants to remove the materials from their platforms and issue an unreserved public apology through the same channels.

Umahi is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their representatives from publishing similar materials against him in the future.

In addition to the requested retraction and injunction, the minister is demanding ₦500 million in general damages and ₦2 billion in exemplary damages, bringing the damages claim to ₦2.5 billion. He is also seeking ₦500 million as legal costs and 10 per cent annual interest on any judgment sum awarded by the court.

The minister has further asked the court to issue an interim order restraining the defendants from making further allegedly defamatory publications against him pending the determination of the case.

The allegations contained in the suit remain claims before the court, and the defendants’ responses will be subject to the judicial process.