By Jungle Journalist
Abuja | Monday, October 13, 2025
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Monday, began hearing in the ₦550 million defamation suit filed by Senator Chris Anyanwu against former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim. Justice M.I. Sani admitted key documents in evidence, marking a major step in the Chris Anyanwu defamation suit that has drawn wide public attention.
Justice M.I. Sani overruled a preliminary objection raised by Ohakim’s legal team seeking to suspend the trial pending the conduct of a pre-trial conference.
Lead counsel to the defendant, Ken Njemanze (SAN), argued that the case was not yet ripe for hearing, stressing that the absence of a pre-trial conference contravened court procedures meant to streamline issues before full trial.
“According to the rules, there is a need for pre-trial, and it is fundamental. This would help us streamline the issues,” Njemanze submitted.
However, counsel to the claimant, Umeh Kalu (SAN), opposed the objection, insisting that the plaintiff was fully prepared to proceed.
“There is no requirement for a pre-trial conference in this matter. Our witnesses have travelled long distances and are ready to testify. We cannot enslave ourselves to procedural technicalities when the interest of justice is at stake,” Kalu argued.
“The relevant order here is Order 38 (1), which clearly empowers the Court to proceed to trial when pleadings have been exchanged. The two parties are in court and we are ready for trial.”
In his ruling, Justice Sani dismissed the objection and directed the claimant’s counsel to proceed with his witnesses.
“I hereby order the plaintiff’s counsel to proceed with his witnesses,” the judge ruled.
The claimant’s first witness, Dr. Joyce Ejukonemu, a Gender Protection Specialist and Senior Researcher, was led in evidence by Kunle Kosoko of Umeh Kalu Chambers.
She adopted her witness statement on oath and referenced The Nation newspaper publication of January 12, 2025, as well as a press release issued by Ohakim on January 24.
Kalu sought to tender both documents as exhibits, but Njemanze objected, arguing that they were photocopies and not certified true copies as required under Section 104 of the Evidence Act.
“These are photocopies, not original certified true copies as required by law. There is no receipt showing payment for certification either,” Njemanze argued.
Kalu countered, maintaining that the documents were properly endorsed and met legal requirements.
“Section 104 allows for certified copies, and the endorsement shows payment was made,” he said, before producing an original certified copy.
After reviewing the submissions, Justice Sani admitted the documents in evidence, marking the Nation publication as Exhibit 1.
“This court has the discretion to admit any relevant document,” the judge ruled.
Kalu went on to tender additional documents, including a January 24, 2025 press statement and a report from Naija News.
The defence again objected, arguing that the Naija News document was electronically generated and lacked the required certificate of compliance under Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
Kalu replied that the required certification could be done orally and was already covered in the witness statement. However, he withdrew the press release to streamline proceedings.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to December 1, 3, and 5, 2025, for ruling on pending admissibility issues and continuation of the trial.
Senator Chris Anyanwu filed the ₦550 million suit over comments allegedly made by Ikedi Ohakim in a January 12, 2025 interview published by The Nation, which she described as defamatory.
The remarks were said to be in response to her autobiography, Bold Leap.
Anyanwu is demanding ₦550 million in damages and a public apology to be published in two national newspapers, including The Nation.
While the second defendant, Vintage Press Ltd., publishers of The Nation, has reportedly issued an apology, Ohakim maintains that his comments were “fair comment” and therefore not defamatory.