Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has denied granting the interview which formed the basis of a N550 million defamation suit filed against him by Senator Chris Anyanwu.
Ohakim made the denial in his amended Statement of Defence filed in Suit marked, FCT/HC/CV/1058/2025 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja.

The case came up on Monday, September 28, 2026, for continuation of trial, but proceedings could not advance to the scheduled cross-examination of the claimant’s witness.

Counsel to Anyanwu, Adekunle Kosoko, informed the court that he had a motion seeking to regularise the claimant’s Reply to the first defendant’s amended Statement of Defence.

Counsel to Ohakim, K.C.O. Njemanze, SAN, said in response that, in view of the application, the defence needed to examine the process filed by the claimant.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until November 4, 2026, for continuation of trial.

According to the court document, In paragraphs 7 and 9 of the amended defence, Ohakim specifically denied writing, uttering, publishing or causing the publication of the statements complained of by Anyanwu.

He also denied that he granted the interview attributed to him, and alleged in his defence that the claimant “concocted and issued a press statement” for the purpose of the suit.

The suit arose from comments attributed to Ohakim in an interview published by The Nation in January 2025 concerning Anyanwu and her memoir, Bold Leap.

In her amended reply, Anyanwu denied the allegations contained in Ohakim’s amended defence and maintained that the statements complained of were defamatory and published with malice.

She particularly challenged the alleged assertion that she had written an apology to the late former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and that she relied on military connections during her political career.

According to her pleading, Ohakim had claimed that an apology letter existed and had promised to publish it, but had not done so.

Anyanwu further alleged that the statements were made to damage her reputation and secure political advantage. These allegations remain matters for determination at trial.

She also stated that Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, had apologised to her both privately and publicly over the publication.

Anyanwu maintained that Bold Leap was an account of her life and experiences and denied defaming Ohakim in the memoir.

Ohakim, however, denied that the statements complained of were defamatory. His amended defence also challenged the competence of the suit and contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

The defence further denied several assertions made by Anyanwu concerning her political and professional career and indicated that the issues would be contested at trial.

The case has now been adjourned to November 4, 2026, for continuation of trial.