Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a ₦60 billion defamation lawsuit against political commentator Reno Omokri at a High Court in Enugu State.
The suit follows a post Omokri made on 6 July 2025 via X, in which he alleged that Kanu and IPOB were behind a spate of killings targeting soldiers, police officers, and other security personnel in Nigeria. He also linked them to attacks carried out by so-called “unknown gunmen.”
Kanu, through his legal team, described the post as false, malicious, and highly defamatory. In the writ of summons, he argues that the statements paint him as a terrorist and a criminal, tarnishing his reputation and character while inciting public hatred, ridicule, and contempt.
He further claims that as of the date of Omokri’s post, no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria had convicted him of any offence involving terrorism or the killing of security forces.
According to Kanu, the publication amounts to prejudicial commentary on an ongoing legal case — Charge No: FHC/ARJ/CR/383/15 — currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His lawyers contend that Omokri’s statement breaches Kanu’s constitutional right to a fair hearing and presumption of innocence, as enshrined in Section 36(5) of the 1990 Constitution (as amended).
Kanu is seeking ₦50 billion in general damages for defamation and emotional distress, and an additional ₦10 billion in aggravated damages for what he calls a “reckless and deliberate attack” on his reputation.
He’s also asking the court to compel Omokri to retract the statement and issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on his X account within seven days of the court’s judgment.
In addition, he wants a perpetual injunction restraining Omokri, his agents, or affiliates from making any further defamatory or prejudicial statements about him without lawful justification.
