Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken legal action against Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant on Digital Communication to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, over alleged defamatory statements. Kanu filed the suit at the High Court of Enugu State through his legal team, led by his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.
The court documents, obtained by SaharaReporters, reveal that Kanu is seeking N100 billion in damages, citing that Ahmad’s statements have caused significant harm to his character and reputation. According to Kanu, the defamatory statements, published on X (formerly Twitter) and later republished on Talkofnaija.com and phoenix-browser.com, falsely labeled him as a terrorist and the leader of a proscribed organization.
Kanu alleges that Ahmad’s remarks, made on or about January 19, 2025, described anyone advocating for his release as “a sworn enemy of this country.” In a post on his X account, Ahmad stated that he would only support Kanu’s release if the separatist leader underwent rehabilitation and renounced his critical views of Nigeria and its citizens.
“I can only advocate for his release when he is truly rehabilitated so he stops seeing Nigeria as a zoo and the citizens as animals that deserve to be brutally killed,” Ahmad stated.
The suit outlines Kanu’s claims that the statements were malicious and beyond fair comment, damaging his integrity by portraying him as:
- A convict guilty of terrorism.
- A felon engaging in acts of terrorism.
- An irresponsible and violent person with no regard for human life.
- A person with no respect for the sanctity of being granted bail.
Kanu’s legal team argues that the statements have led to public humiliation, embarrassment, and damage to his social standing, further asserting that millions of people, particularly in Enugu and across Nigeria, have read the defamatory statements.
As part of his demands, Kanu is seeking:
- A court declaration that Ahmad’s statements are defamatory.
- An unreserved letter of apology from Ahmad.
- A directive for the apology to be published in full-page advertisements in The Sun, Daily Trust, and The Guardian newspapers.
- A perpetual injunction restraining Ahmad from making further defamatory statements.
- Payment of N100 billion as general and exemplary damages.
- Coverage of all legal costs incurred in the lawsuit.
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Kanu emphasized that unless restrained by the court, Ahmad might continue making statements that could further tarnish his reputation and bring him into public disrepute.
