The 2023 Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Arc. Tonye Patrick Cole, has filed a ₦40 billion lawsuit against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, as well as Channels Television, over what he described as “false, malicious, and politically motivated statements” made during a live broadcast.
Cole, a prominent businessman and co-founder of Sahara Group, filed the suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The case stems from remarks made by Mr. Wike on Channels Television’s flagship political programme, Politics Today, aired on September 18, 2025.
During the interview, Wike reportedly accused Cole of stealing state resources, selling Rivers State gas assets for $308 million, and illegally taking over the Olympia Hotel, a government-owned property in Port Harcourt.
Cole’s lawyers argue that these statements were “completely false, unfounded, and made with malicious intent” to damage his image before millions of Nigerians and the international community.
In his court filings, Tonye Cole said the allegations were deliberate attempts by Wike to discredit him politically and destroy his decades-long reputation in business and philanthropy.
“The words were not only false but were designed to make me appear as a dishonest, corrupt, and criminally minded person,” Cole stated. “These are reckless statements that no responsible leader should make, especially on national television.”
He said the broadcast caused severe emotional distress and reputational damage, noting that several of his business and international partners had suspended ongoing engagements pending clarification of the claims.
According to the claimant, the televised remarks amounted to defamation of character, and Channels Television should have verified the allegations before airing them live. He accused the media house of giving a national platform to unverified claims that could harm both individuals and public confidence in the press.
Prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, has joined the case as a witness for Cole. In a sworn deposition before the Court, Adeyanju confirmed that he watched the September 18 broadcast live and was “shocked by the recklessness” of Wike’s comments.
“I watched that interview live. The words used were malicious and unbecoming of a public officer. The media has a duty to inform, not to defame,” Adeyanju said in his testimony.
He told the court that both Wike and Channels Television acted irresponsibly by broadcasting unverified and damaging claims that could mislead the public.
Adeyanju also revealed that this was not the first time the FCT Minister had made defamatory remarks about private individuals. He recalled that in 2024, Wike had similarly attacked him during another live television appearance, describing him as one of “people with no job.”
Adeyanju said he submitted video evidence of that previous broadcast to show what he called “a consistent pattern of malicious and defamatory speech” by Wike against critics and civic figures.
“This case goes beyond politics,” Adeyanju said. “Public officials must understand that they are accountable for what they say, especially when their words can damage lives or reputations.”
In the suit, Tonye Cole is seeking ₦40 billion in general and aggravated damages for the harm done to his reputation, as well as a public apology and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from repeating or re-broadcasting the statements.
“The falsehoods have put my name and legacy in question,” Cole stated through his legal team. “Partners and investors are now asking questions about matters that never happened. It has affected my businesses, my family, and my peace of mind.”
Cole’s lawyers highlighted that the case was not about politics but about accountability and integrity in public communication.
“Every Nigerian deserves protection from reckless abuse of public platforms,” they said. “We cannot allow falsehood to be spread in the name of political rivalry.”
Tonye Cole and Nyesom Wike have been political rivals for years in Rivers State. In the 2023 general elections, Cole contested as the APC candidate for governor, while Wike, who had completed his second term as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was a major political force backing his preferred candidate, Siminalayi Fubara, who eventually won.
Their rivalry deepened after the elections, as Wike continued to accuse Cole and other APC leaders of corruption and betrayal of state interests. Cole, on the other hand, has repeatedly accused Wike of using propaganda and intimidation to silence opposition voices in the state.
Wike, known for his fiery and outspoken style, has faced criticism in the past for making controversial remarks during interviews and public events. However, he has often defended his comments as part of his straightforward approach to politics.
The latest lawsuit adds a new chapter to their long-running feud and may test the boundaries of free speech, media responsibility, and defamation law in Nigeria.
Channels Television, one of Nigeria’s leading private broadcasters, has also been named as a defendant in the suit. The media house is accused of failing to verify the allegations before airing them to a national audience.
For Tonye Cole, the lawsuit represents a fight to protect his name and integrity after decades of business and social impact work.
For Wike, it presents another political and legal battle just months after facing criticism over his handling of political tensions in Rivers State and his role as FCT Minister.
Neither Wike nor Channels Television has issued an official response to the suit as of press time.
Meanwhile, Cole insists that his decision to go to court is not politically motivated but a step to defend the truth.
“This is no longer about politics,” Cole said in a statement. “It is about truth, accountability, and the integrity of public discourse in Nigeria.”
