Absence of defence counsel stalls Chris Anyanwu’s ‘defamation’ suit against Ohakim

Ohakim

The absence of legal counsel for Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo state, has stalled proceedings in the defamation suit brought against him by former senator Chris Anyanwu.

At the resumption of hearing on Thursday at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court, no lawyer appeared on behalf of the former governor.

Adekunle Kosoko, counsel to Anyanwu, informed the court that he had received a letter from the chambers of U.C. Njemanze-Aku at about 4:35 pm on Wednesday.The letter explained that the principal counsel, Ken Njemanze, was still unwell and unable to attend.

Justice M.I. Sani, the presiding judge, confirmed that the court also received the same letter.

He, however, questioned why the defence team failed to send a representative, despite the presence of witnesses who were supposed to testify.

Kosoko urged the court to order that the matter proceed on the next adjourned date regardless of the availability of the defence’s lead counsel, citing undue delay in the trial process.

In his ruling, the judge adjourned the case to October 23, 2025, and directed that the trial will commence — and possibly conclude — on that date.

He further ordered the plaintiff’s counsel to serve a hearing notice on the second defendant in the suit, Vintage Press Limited.

THE SUIT

According to court documents, Anyanwu alleged that Ohakim made defamatory statements about her during an interview published by The Nation on January 12, 2025.