The FCT High Court has postponed proceedings in a defamation suit filed by Senator Chris Anyanwu against ex-Imo governor Ikedi Ohakim to March 17.
Proceedings at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Jabi, Abuja, were once again stalled as the court adjourned hearing in a high-profile defamation suit involving Senator Chris Anyanwu and a former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.
The court fixed March 17 as the new date for continuation of the matter, following the inability of the court to sit as scheduled.
The hearing was expected to resume earlier this week, but the session did not hold due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice M. I. Sani.
Court officials explained that the judge was indisposed, making it impossible for proceedings to go on.
Lawyers and parties present were informed of the development before the case was formally adjourned.
The legal action arose from comments allegedly made by Ohakim during a media interview that was published in the January 12 edition of The Nation newspaper.
Senator Anyanwu contends that the remarks were defamatory and caused significant harm to her personal reputation, political standing, and public image.
She maintains that the statements were false, malicious, and damaging, prompting her decision to seek judicial intervention.
In the suit, the senator is asking the court to award N550 million as compensation for the alleged damage suffered.
She is also seeking an order compelling the defendant to issue a public apology, to be published in two national newspapers, including The Nation.
According to her pleadings, such an apology is necessary to correct the alleged falsehoods and restore her reputation in the eyes of the public.
When the matter was first filed, The Nation newspaper was joined as the second defendant, given its role in publishing the interview.
However, developments later altered the scope of the case. On June 1 last year, the newspaper issued a full retraction of the story and published a public apology addressed to Senator Anyanwu.
Following this action, the claimant withdrew the suit against the media organisation. The court subsequently struck out the name of The Nation from the case, leaving Ohakim as the sole defendant in the ongoing defamation suit.
Despite the narrowing of parties, progress in the case has been slow. Since hearing formally commenced on October 13 last year, the matter has experienced repeated interruptions.
The most recent adjournment marks the fourth time the court has been unable to proceed as planned, raising concerns about delays in the resolution of the dispute.
So far, only one of the five witnesses listed by Senator Anyanwu has begun testifying. The witness, who commenced her evidence during an earlier sitting, has yet to conclude her testimony.
The remaining witnesses are expected to present evidence in support of the senator’s claims once the court resumes full hearing.
Legal observers note that defamation cases often require detailed examination of evidence, including the context of the alleged statements, their publication, and the extent of reputational damage suffered by the claimant.
In this case, the court is expected to assess whether the statements attributed to the former governor meet the legal threshold for defamation and whether damages, as claimed, are justified.
Reacting to the latest adjournment, Senator Anyanwu expressed sympathy for Justice Sani, wishing him a speedy recovery.
She described the judge’s health as paramount and said she understood the circumstances that led to the postponement.
At the same time, she expressed hope that proceedings would move more swiftly once the judge returns to the bench.
The senator reiterated her confidence in the judicial process and her expectation that the defamation suit would be resolved fairly and within a reasonable timeframe.
She stressed that her decision to approach the court was not driven by personal vendetta but by a desire to defend her integrity and public record.
As the case awaits its next hearing date, attention remains focused on how the court will navigate the outstanding testimonies and legal arguments.
The outcome of the defamation suit is expected to set an important precedent, particularly regarding accountability for public statements made by political figures.
Until proceedings resume on March 17, the matter remains adjourned, with all parties awaiting the court’s next sitting.
Observers anticipate that once hearing continues, the case could progress more rapidly, bringing the long-running defamation suit closer to conclusion.
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