The scheduled hearing in the ₦550 million defamation lawsuit filed by Senator Chris Anyanwu against former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, was on Thursday delayed due to the absence of Ohakim’s lead counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), who cited ill health.

 

Justice M.S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi had fixed June 19 for definite hearing, following a previous adjournment on June 17, also due to Njemanze’s absence.

 

Senator Anyanwu filed the suit (FCT/HC/CV/1058/2025) in response to an interview Ohakim granted to The Nation newspaper, published on January 12, 2025. She alleges the statements made by the former governor were “false and damaging,” prompting her to issue a press release and demand a retraction through her lawyers.

 

The former senator is seeking ₦550 million in damages and is also asking the court to compel Ohakim to publish a retraction and full-page apology in The Sun and The Nation newspapers.

 

In his defence, Ohakim admitted to making the statements in question but argued they were fair comment.

 

At Thursday’s proceedings, the claimant’s counsel, Adekunle Kosoko, announced his appearance but noted that no lawyer represented the former governor in court. He expressed frustration over the continued absence of Ohakim’s legal team, especially as three lawyers had represented him at the last session.

 

Kosoko revealed that he received a letter from Njemanze the previous day, citing continued ill health as the reason for his absence. He criticized the approach, saying it was disrespectful to the court to communicate such matters via letter without any legal representation.

 

Despite this, Justice Idris granted the adjournment on compassionate grounds but issued a firm warning. He emphasized that if the defence team, particularly Njemanze, fails to appear at the next sitting, the matter will proceed in their absence.

 

Kosoko further noted that two of the claimant’s witnesses, who had traveled from Lagos and Benue, were present both on the last court date and again on Thursday, underscoring their commitment to the case.

 

Justice Idris adjourned the matter to October 13, 2025, for a definite hearing and ordered that hearing notices be served on all defendants.