NEWS
₦1bn Defamation Suit: Court Fixes November 2 for Definite Trial as Claimant Appears With Witnesses, Defendant, Obinna Orihaku Absent
The ₦1 billion defamation suit instituted by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kenneth C. Ahia, against former Commissioner for Finance, Abia State, Chief Obinna Oriaku, came up before the Lagos State High Court, Tapa Division, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with the Claimant fully represented and ready to proceed with trial, while the Defendant was absent and unrepresented.
The suit, marked LD/ADR/5716/2024, was presided over by Hon. Justice Oresanya.
Kenneth C. Ahia, SAN, was represented in court by a legal team led by Bidemi Ademola-Bello, SAN, alongside Francis Okereke, Esq., Ochu Agbai-Abosi, Esq., Ephratah Oyewole, Esq., and Lawson Adeisa, Esq.
The Claimant’s witnesses were also present in court and ready to testify as the matter moved toward the substantive hearing of the defamation claim. When the case was called, Learned Silk for the Claimant informed the Court that his client was fully prepared to proceed with the trial and that the witnesses were available to give evidence in support of the ₦1 billion claim.
The Court, however, adjourned the matter to November 2, 2026, for definite trial, while directing that Hearing Notice be served on the Defendant.
The proceedings produced a notable courtroom contrast, with the Claimant and his legal team present alongside their witnesses, while the Defendant, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, was neither present nor represented by counsel. The reason for the Defendant’s absence was not stated in the proceedings as presented.
With the matter now fixed for definite trial, attention turns to November 2, when the parties are expected to further engage the judicial process and present their respective positions before the Court.
For the Claimant, the next significant date in the ₦1 billion defamation suit is clear