The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a N10 billion lawsuit against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, over what he describes as false and defamatory statements.
In the suit filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, Kanu is also demanding an additional N50 million as exemplary damages. The suit, marked CV3179/2025, was filed on August 14, 2025, by Kanu’s legal counsel, Mr. Maxwell Opara.
The IPOB leader is seeking justice over a press release issued by the Imo State Commissioner of Police on July 25, in which he allegedly blamed IPOB and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), for a violent attack in some communities in Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to Kanu, the press statement, which was widely published in mainstream media, linked him and IPOB to the gruesome killings in Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma, and Ndiakuwata Uno villages. The suit claims that the CP stated that “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu orchestrated the attacks.”
Kanu’s lawyer argues that the statement is false, unverified, and defamatory, and was issued without any investigation or legal basis. “No arrest or criminal prosecution has followed that press release. It was baseless and made in bad faith,” the suit claims.
In addition to financial compensation, Kanu is asking the court to:
– Declare the press release as false, speculative, and defamatory;
– Issue an order stopping the CP or any officer of the Nigerian Police Force from making similar statements in the future;
-Order Mr. Danjuma to publish a public retraction and apology in at least two national newspapers and on a national TV station;
-Direct the payment of 10% interest on the judgment amount annually, from the date of judgment until the full amount is paid.
This lawsuit comes at a time when Nnamdi Kanu is already facing legal battles at the Federal High Court over terrorism-related charges. The IPOB leader, who has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), maintains his innocence and has repeatedly stated that IPOB is a peaceful movement seeking the self-determination of the Igbo people.
Kanu’s lawyer argued that Mr. Danjuma’s statement came at a sensitive time when IPOB is challenging a previous court declaration that labelled it a terrorist group — a case currently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Making such accusations while that matter is still in court violates legal principles and prejudices the rights of the claimant to a fair trial,” Opara argued.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police, as a high-ranking officer, should have acted with more caution, especially given that the criminal allegations against IPOB are still subject to judicial review.
According to the statement of claim, the CP’s comments have done serious damage to Nnamdi Kanu’s reputation both in Nigeria and internationally. The suit alleges that the statement was intended to sway public opinion against Kanu and to paint IPOB as a violent organisation.
“The false statement has caused immense injury to the claimant’s standing and has subjected him to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule,” the court filing read.
Kanu contends that the Imo CP’s actions were driven by malice and political motives rather than facts or credible intelligence.
The IPOB group, led by Nnamdi Kanu, has been at the centre of a long-running conflict with the Nigerian government over calls for a separate Biafran state. In 2017, the group was declared a terrorist organisation by a Federal High Court, a decision IPOB has been fighting to overturn.
Since then, clashes between security forces and suspected IPOB members have been frequent in the South-East, with police and military authorities often blaming IPOB for various violent attacks. IPOB has consistently denied involvement in such incidents.
Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in 2021 and has been in detention since, facing trial for alleged terrorism and incitement. His detention has sparked protests and renewed calls for a political solution to the growing unrest in the South-East.
The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing. However, legal analysts say the suit could reopen debate about how law enforcement agencies communicate during ongoing investigations and trials.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue an official response to the suit or comment on whether the Imo State CP will defend the statements made in the controversial press release.
