Nnamdi Kanu Takes Legal Action Against Police Spokesman Adejobi

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a defamation lawsuit against Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Kanu claims that Adejobi falsely accused three individuals killed by the police in Owerri, Imo State, last week of being members of IPOB.

In the suit, filed by his lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu argues that an article titled “Imo: Police neutralize six IPOB/ESN terrorists, recover arms,” falsely defamed IPOB. Kanu is seeking ₦20 billion in damages from Adejobi, along with a written apology to be published in national newspapers.

The article in question stated that police operatives in Imo had neutralized three prominent members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing of IPOB. The police spokesperson, Adejobi, made the announcement in a statement issued in Owerri. However, Kanu contends that this claim is untrue and that it has severely tarnished his reputation, portraying him as the leader of a violent and terrorist organization.

Kanu has requested the court to order Adejobi to retract the defamatory statement through another public announcement in the same media outlets. He is also asking for an unreserved apology to be published in three national newspapers: The Sun, Daily Trust, and Vanguard, along with a permanent injunction preventing Adejobi from making similar statements in the future. Kanu further demands ₦20 billion in damages for the harm caused by the defamatory publications.