Nnamdi Kanu drags Reno Omokri to court, demands N60bn over alleged defamation

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has initiated legal action against social media commentator Reno Omokri, seeking N60 billion in damages over what he describes as a defamatory and prejudicial statement targeting him, IPOB, and the Igbo people.

The suit, filed at the Enugu State High Court under Order 3, Rule 3, lists Kanu—acting both personally and on behalf of IPOB—as the plaintiff, with Omokri named as the defendant.

In his statement of claim, Kanu described himself as “a well-known public figure and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an organisation advocating for the self-determination of its people within the contraption, Nigeria.”

Kanu told the court that on or about July 6, 2025, Omokri published a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that Kanu and IPOB were responsible for attacks on security personnel and linked to “Unknown Gunmen.” The post read: “Do you know how many Nigerian soldiers, police officers, customs, immigration, and prison officers, as well as NSCDC servicemen and women, have been killed by IPOB, ESN, and Unknown Gunmen in the Southeast, of which the majority have been from Northern Nigeria?”

The statement also accused IPOB and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) of terrorism—claims Kanu says are “false, baseless, prejudicial, and defamatory,” arguing that the remarks painted him as a criminal, damaged his reputation, and interfered with ongoing legal proceedings in Abuja.

He further contended that as of the date of Omokri’s post, no Nigerian court had convicted him of any offence relating to the killing of security operatives or terrorism, making the allegations “factually incorrect and malicious.”

According to Kanu, his legal team—led by P. N. Agazie—issued a pre-action notice on July 10, 2025, demanding a retraction and public apology in two national newspapers and on Omokri’s X account, along with an undertaking to desist from further such publications.

Kanu told the court that Omokri failed to comply, prompting him to proceed with the lawsuit.
He is asking the court for the following reliefs, which include N50 billion in general damages for defamation, emotional distress, and harm to his ongoing trial.

N10 billion in aggravated damages for what he terms a “malicious and reckless publication.”

An order directing Omokri to retract the statement and issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on his X account within seven days of judgment.

A perpetual injunction restraining Omokri or his associates from making similar statements in future.
Legal costs and interest at 10% per annum until full payment.