Umahi Sues Linda Ikeji, Others for N2.5bn Over Alleged Defamation

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has instituted a N2.5 billion defamation suit against media personality Linda Ikeji and two others over publications he described as false and malicious.

The suit, marked GWD/CV/264/26, was filed on August 24, 2026, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division.

Other defendants in the case are Stella Ifeoma Okengwu and Linda Ikeji TV Limited.

According to the case summary, Umahi alleged that the defendants published statements and videos concerning him between March 2025 and March 2026, which he considered defamatory.

The minister claimed the publications accused him of bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing, sexual harassment and being unfit to hold public office.

Umahi, through his lawyers, had reportedly demanded the removal of the publications and an unreserved public apology from the defendants.

The case summary, however, states that the demands were not complied with, prompting the minister to approach the court.

Among the reliefs sought by Umahi is a declaration that the publications complained of were defamatory.

He is also asking the court to order the defendants to take down the materials from their social media platforms and other media outlets where they were published.

The minister further wants an order compelling the defendants to issue a public apology and an injunction restraining them from publishing what he described as false and defamatory statements against him.

Umahi is seeking N500 million as general damages and N2 billion as exemplary damages.

He is also demanding N500 million as the cost of prosecuting the suit, bringing the total monetary claim to N3 billion if the separate heads of claim are awarded as sought.

The minister is equally asking the court to award 10 per cent post-judgment interest annually on any judgment sum until full settlement.

The case was filed by a legal team led by A.J. Owonikoko, SAN, alongside other Senior Advocates of Nigeria from Synergy Attorneys.

The case summary indicated that the defendants had not been served with the writ as of the time the document was prepared.

The allegations contained in the suit are claims by the claimant and have not been established by the court. The defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the claims upon service of the processes and enter their defence.