A legal dispute has emerged between Works Minister David Umahi and blogger Linda Ikeji, Stella Ifeoma Okengwu and Linda Ikeji TV Limited over a series of online publications.
Umahi approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, asking the court to order the removal of materials he considers defamatory and compel the defendants to issue public apologies.
The case was filed on August 24, 2026, with suit number FCT/CV/264/26. The minister is represented by senior lawyer Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN.
Rather than focusing only on the personalities involved, the case centres on allegations made through social media and the legal consequences of publishing material that a public official says has harmed his reputation.
How the dispute reached court
According to the court documents, Umahi traced the disputed publications to the period between March 2025 and March 2026.
The minister alleged that the defendants were involved in what he called a “campaign spree” of publications directed at him through online media platforms and social media accounts.
One of the publications cited in the case involved videos allegedly shared by Okengwu on her Instagram account, @thewomanking1.
Umahi alleged that the videos contained accusations involving bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual depravity, land grabbing, sexual harassment of women and claims that he was not fit for public office.
He further alleged that the content reached a larger audience after being shared through Linda Ikeji TV and its Instagram platform.
These remain allegations contained in the lawsuit and have yet to be determined by the court.
Umahi says he first sought a retraction
Before filing the case, Umahi said he attempted to address the matter outside court.
His lawyers reportedly contacted the defendants and demanded an unreserved public apology, the removal of the disputed publications and an undertaking not to publish similar material again.
According to the minister, those demands did not produce the outcome he wanted.
He subsequently turned to the court and asked it to determine whether the publications were false and defamatory.
What the minister is asking for
Umahi wants the court to order the defendants to take down the materials he considers defamatory and publish a retraction.
He is also seeking written and video apologies on the platforms where the disputed publications appeared.
Another major part of his claim is a request for a permanent injunction. If granted, the order would prevent the defendants, their agents and affiliated entities from publishing further material that is found to be defamatory against him.
The minister is also asking the court to award him financial damages.
His claim includes ₦500 million in general damages and ₦2 billion in exemplary damages. He is further seeking ₦500 million as the cost of pursuing the case.
Umahi has also asked for 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on any amount awarded by the court.
Request for interim protection
Pending the hearing and determination of the substantive case, the minister is asking the court to issue an interim order restricting further publications of the alleged defamatory material.
The case is now before the FCT High Court, where the claims will be considered alongside the response of the defendants.
At this stage, the allegations made in the suit are claims by the minister and do not amount to findings of fact by the court. The outcome will depend on the evidence and arguments presented by all parties.
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