Umahi Sues Linda Ikeji,Businesswoman Over Alleged Defamation,Seeks N3bn Damages

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has approached the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, seeking the retraction and apology over a series of social media publications he described as false and defamatory.

The suit, filed on August 24, 2026, and marked FCT/CV/264/26, was instituted by way of a Writ of Summons against popular blogger and media entrepreneur, Linda Ikeji; Lagos-based businesswoman, Stella Ifeoma Okengwu; and Linda Ikeji TV Limited.

In the Statement of Claim filed through his counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, Umahi alleged that between March 2025 and March 2026, the defendants embarked on what he described as a “campaign spree” of malicious publications against him through Ikeji’s blog platform and various social media handles.

The minister alleged that Okengwu, identified in the suit as Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Estate Services, Lagos, posted a series of videos on her Instagram handle, @thewomanking1, in which she allegedly accused him of bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual depravity, land grabbing, sexual harassment of women and being unfit for public office.

According to the court documents, the alleged videos were subsequently broadcast to a wider audience through Linda Ikeji’s platform, Linda Ikeji TV, and its Instagram handle.

Umahi said his lawyers had earlier written to the defendants demanding an unreserved public apology, removal of the alleged defamatory publications and an undertaking to desist from further publication of similar materials.

He, however, alleged that the defendants failed to comply with the demands, prompting the legal action.

The minister is asking the court to declare that the publications are false, defamatory and calculated to lower his reputation in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.

He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to recant and remove the alleged defamatory materials from their platforms and issue a public apology in writing and through video broadcasts on the same platforms where the publications appeared.

Umahi further wants the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and affiliated entities from publishing further defamatory materials against him.

In addition, the minister is demanding N500 million in general damages, N2 billion in exemplary damages, 10 per cent post-judgment interest per annum on any judgment sum and N500 million as cost of the suit.

He also prayed the court for an interim order restraining the defendants from further making allegedly defamatory publications against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The minister maintained that the publications were false and intended to tarnish his image and reputation.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the matter.