Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken legal action against Imo State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma. In a fresh suit filed at the Abuja High Court, Kanu is seeking a total of N10 billion in general damages for defamation, plus N50 million in exemplary damages against the police chief. The case also requests a 10 percent per annum post-judgment interest on the entire judgment sum from the date of judgment until full payment.

• Writ of summons: CV3179/2025
• Plaintiff: Nnamdi Kanu, represented by lawyer Maxwell Opara
• Defendant: Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma
• Date of suit: Dated August 12, 2025; filed August 14, 2025

What Kanu is claiming

• A declaration that a press release issued by CP Danjuma on July 25, which attributed the killings in several Imo communities to IPOB/ESN (Eastern Security Network) members, is false, unsubstantiated, speculative, and defamatory.
• An order of perpetual injunction preventing the defendant or any officers of the Nigerian Police Force from making further similar defamatory statements.
• An order directing the defendant to publish a retraction and apology to Kanu in at least two national dailies and on national television.
• General damages of N10 billion and exemplary damages of N50 million, plus 10 percent per annum post-judgment interest on the full sum from the date of judgment.

• The writ asserts that on or around July 25, within two hours of an attack in Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno in Arondizuogu, Ideato Local Government Area, Danjuma released a statement in mainstream media accusing IPOB/ESN of orchestrating the killings.
• The filing notes that the IPOB leadership had appeals pending at the Supreme Court regarding a controversial ex parte ruling labelling IPOB a terrorist organisation, arguing that the press release was sub judice and could prejudice Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court.
• Opara contends that the CP’s statements were made without proper investigation or credible intelligence, and that no arrests or prosecutions had followed the release, indicating malice and a damaging impact on Kanu’s reputation both domestically and internationally.

• The case will proceed in the Abuja High Court, where the defendant is expected to respond to the allegations and the court will determine the merit of the defamation claim and the requested remedies.
• Observers may watch for how the court handles the sub judice/lis pendens concerns, given the ongoing terrorism-related trial at the Federal High Court.
• As this is a defamation matter tied to political and security implications, both sides will likely emphasise credibility, evidence, and the timing of remarks in relation to judicial proceedings.