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Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has instituted a N2.5 billion defamation lawsuit against media practitioner Linda Ikeji, Linda Ikeji TV Limited and Stella Ifeoma Okengwu over publications he claims damaged his reputation.
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.
According to the case summary, Umahi is challenging statements and videos allegedly published by the defendants between March 2025 and March 2026.
The minister claims the publications contained false and malicious statements about him and portrayed him in a manner he considers defamatory.
Umahi Challenges Alleged Publications
The claimant alleges that the disputed publications contained accusations relating to bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing, sexual harassment and his suitability to remain in public office.
Umahi maintains that the allegations are false and have caused damage to his reputation.
The minister’s legal action comes after he reportedly demanded that the defendants take down the disputed materials and issue an unreserved public apology.
However, according to the case summary, the demands were not complied with, prompting the minister to approach the court.
Minister Seeks Removal Of Publications
In the suit, Umahi is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to remove the materials from their social media platforms and other media outlets where they may have been published.
The minister further wants the court to direct the defendants to issue a public apology over the publications.
In addition, Umahi is asking for an injunction preventing the defendants from publishing what he describes as false and defamatory statements or materials concerning him in the future.
N2.5bn In Damages
The minister is seeking a total of N2.5 billion in damages and associated costs.
According to the case summary, Umahi is requesting N500 million in general damages and N2 billion in exemplary damages.
He is also asking the court to award N500 million as the cost of the legal action.
Beyond the monetary claims, Umahi is seeking post-judgment interest at a rate of 10 per cent annually until any judgment sum awarded by the court is fully paid.
The demands form part of the reliefs the minister is seeking from the court as he challenges the publications.
Lawyers File Suit
The case was filed on Umahi’s behalf by a team of lawyers led by A. J. Owonikoko, SAN, alongside other Senior Advocates of Nigeria from Synergy Attorneys.
The legal team is representing the minister in the defamation proceedings and is seeking the various declarations, injunctions, damages and other reliefs outlined in the suit.
The case summary indicates that the defendants had not been served with the writ at the time the document was prepared.
This means the legal proceedings are still at an early stage, and the defendants are expected to have an opportunity to respond to the allegations if and when they are formally served and enter their defence.
Allegations Yet To Be Determined
The lawsuit centres on Umahi’s claim that the publications made serious allegations against him that were false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.
However, the claims contained in the suit remain allegations by the minister and have not been established by the court.
The filing of a defamation suit does not by itself determine whether the disputed statements were false or defamatory. Those issues will be considered through the legal process, subject to the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.
The defendants will also have the opportunity to challenge Umahi’s claims and present their own account of the disputed publications.
As the case progresses, the court may be required to determine whether the statements complained about meet the legal threshold for defamation and whether Umahi is entitled to the damages and other remedies he is seeking.
For now, the N2.5 billion suit marks a significant legal challenge involving the Minister of Works and the media organisations and individual named as defendants.
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