Nnamdi Kanu slams Reno Omokri with N60 billion lawsuit over alleged defamation
Nnamdi Kanu, Reno Omokri
Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a ₦60 billion defamation suit against political commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
The lawsuit, lodged at the Enugu State High Court on July 31, alleges that Mr Omokri made defamatory statements on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on July 6, 2025, accusing Mr Kanu and IPOB of being responsible for the killing of security operatives and various acts of violence attributed to so-called “unknown gunmen” in Nigeria’s South-east.
Mr Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, filed the suit through his lawyer, P.N. Agazie.
He is suing both in his personal capacity and on behalf of IPOB, with Mr Omokri named as the sole defendant.
In the suit, Mr Kanu claims that the statements not only portrayed him as a criminal and terrorist but also caused serious harm to his reputation and undermined his ongoing legal proceedings.
He noted that as of the time the publication was made, no court of law had convicted him of terrorism or any offence involving violence against security personnel.
A pre-action notice had reportedly been served to Mr Omokri on July 10, demanding a retraction, a public apology published in two national newspapers, and a written commitment to refrain from similar statements. However, the notice was ignored.
Mr Kanu is seeking ₦50 billion in general damages for reputational harm and emotional distress, along with ₦10 billion in aggravated damages, citing malice and recklessness in the publication.
He is also asking the court to order Mr Omokri to retract the statements and publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on his social media platforms within seven days of judgment.
Additionally, the IPOB leader is requesting a perpetual injunction to restrain Mr Omokri and his associates from further publishing or spreading defamatory content against him.
The court is yet to assign a hearing date for the case.
Mr Kanu has been in custody since June 2021, following his controversial rendition from Kenya to Nigeria. IPOB, a separatist movement advocating for the independence of Biafra, has been linked to violent unrest in the South-east — allegations the group continues to deny.
