Minister of Works, David Umahi, has approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N2.5 billion in damages from Linda Ikeji, Stella Ifeoma Okengwu and Linda Ikeji TV Limited.
The suit, filed on August 24, 2026, is marked GWD/CV/264/26.
Umahi, in the suit, accused the defendants of publishing what he described as false and defamatory statements and videos about him between March 2025 and March 2026.
According to the case summary, the publications allegedly contained accusations of bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual misconduct, land grabbing, sexual harassment and unfitness for public office.
The minister said he had earlier instructed his lawyers to demand the removal of the alleged defamatory materials and an unreserved public apology.
He alleged that despite the demand, the defendants failed to remove the materials or issue the requested apology.
Umahi is asking the court to declare the publications false and defamatory and order the defendants to remove them from their Instagram accounts and any other platforms where they were published.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to apologise publicly to him in writing and through video broadcasts.
The minister is further asking the court to permanently restrain the defendants, their agents or representatives from publishing what he considers false and defamatory materials about him.
In addition to the injunctions, Umahi is claiming N500 million in general damages and N2 billion in exemplary damages.
He is also seeking another N500 million as the cost of prosecuting the case, as well as 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on any judgment sum awarded by the court.
The case was filed by a legal team from Synergy Attorneys led by A. J. Owonikoko, SAN, alongside other senior advocates.
The case summary states that the defendants had not been served with the writ at the time it was prepared.
The allegations contained in the suit remain the claimant’s claims and have not been established by the court. The defendants have the opportunity to respond to the allegations in accordance with due process.
David Umahi
