Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has initiated legal action against Dike Vincent, the President-General of Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU), filing a N50 billion defamation lawsuit before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The lawsuit, marked No: CV/1224/24, alleges defamatory publications made by Dike Vincent against Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Signed by Chinwe Umeche, Esq., Head of Chambers/Managing Partner in the chambers of I.C. Ejiofor (Ugochinyere Chambers), the suit demands various remedies.
Ejiofor seeks an order directing Vincent Dike to issue a public apology in at least three national newspapers with both nationwide and global circulation. Additionally, he demands compensatory payment of ₦50,000,000,000.00 (Fifty Billion Naira Only) for damages incurred due to the defamatory publications.
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Furthermore, Ejiofor requests the court to compel Dike to publish a full retraction of the defamatory statements in the same newspapers and to provide a written undertaking not to publish similar libelous materials in the future. Additionally, he demands ₦100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira Only) as the cost of the suit.
The genesis of the legal dispute dates back to February 4, 2024, when Vincent Dike called a meeting at the Oraifite Civic Center, purportedly for a town hall gathering. However, Ejiofor alleges that the meeting was orchestrated to disseminate falsehoods and defame his character.
During the press conference, Dike reportedly made derogatory and false remarks about Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, prompting the legal action.
The case is pending a scheduled hearing as it awaits assignment of a court date.
The lawsuit underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the narratives and actions of key figures within the Biafran separatist movement and its detractors, reflecting broader socio-political divisions within Nigeria.
