Nnamdi Kanu Files ₦60 Billion Defamation Suit Against Reno Omokri
Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a ₦60 billion lawsuit against political commentator Reno Omokri, accusing him of making defamatory and prejudicial statements that allegedly misrepresent his character and undermine his ongoing legal proceedings.
The suit, filed on 31 July 2025 at the Enugu State High Court, was brought by Mr Kanu in both his personal capacity and on behalf of IPOB. Mr Omokri is the sole defendant.
According to court filings obtained by Premium Times, Mr Kanu—who is currently standing trial on terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja—alleges that Mr Omokri published false claims linking him and IPOB to violent attacks, killings of security personnel, and the activities of so-called “unknown gunmen” in the South-East region. He also claims that Mr Omokri described IPOB’s security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as a terrorist organisation.
The statement in question was allegedly made in a post on Mr Omokri’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on 6 July 2025.
Through his legal representative, P.N. Agazie, Mr Kanu contends that the statements are not only factually inaccurate but also damaging to his reputation and legal standing. He argues that the publication constitutes a deliberate attempt to prejudice the public against him and influence the outcome of his trial.
“The said statements are false, baseless, prejudicial, and defamatory, as they portray the plaintiff as a criminal and a terrorist, thereby injuring his reputation, character, exposing him to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule, and prejudicing his ongoing judicial proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the suit reads.
Mr Kanu further stated that no court in Nigeria has convicted him of terrorism or murder, and that the presumption of innocence remains a constitutional right guaranteed under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
A pre-action notice was reportedly served to Mr Omokri on 10 July 2025, requesting a public retraction, a formal apology published in two national newspapers, and a written undertaking to refrain from repeating such claims. The lawsuit followed Mr Omokri’s alleged failure to comply.
Mr Kanu is seeking ₦50 billion in general damages for reputational harm and emotional distress, as well as ₦10 billion in aggravated damages for what he described as a “malicious and reckless” publication. He is also requesting:
A court-ordered public apology and retraction in two national newspapers and on Mr Omokri’s X handle, to be issued within seven days of judgment;
A perpetual injunction restraining Mr Omokri, his agents, or affiliates from publishing any further defamatory content related to him or IPOB.
At the time of this report, the court has not scheduled a date for hearing.
Mr Kanu was extradited from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 under controversial circumstances and has remained in detention while facing charges brought by the Nigerian government. IPOB, which advocates for the creation of an independent Biafran state from Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions, has consistently denied involvement in violent attacks attributed to its members.
