The defamation case instituted by Sen. Chris Anyanwu against former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court suffered a second adjournment in one week due to the absence of the defendant’s principal counsel, Mr. Ken Njemanze (SAN).

The case, which was slated for hearing on June 17, was adjourned to June 19 after lawyers from Njemanze’s Chamber informed the presiding judge, Justice M.I. Sani, that their principal had fallen ill that day.
The lawyers stood in for Njemanze on behalf of Ohakim.

Although Anyanwu’s counsel, Mr. Adekunle Kosoko, objected to the application, insisting that they had sufficient notice to prepare for the cross-examination of the witnesses, irrespective of the senior lawyer’s absence, the judge granted it and fixed June 19 for conducting the examination in chief and cross-examination.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, there was no representation from Ohakim’s lawyers.

Kosoko, after announcing his appearance for the plaintiff, told the court that at about 4:30 pm on Wednesday, he received a letter from Njemanze’s firm stating that he was still indisposed.

The judge said the court had received the same letter and wondered why they had not sent a physical representation to resolve the issue.

The judge attempted to address the issue of extra costs as presented by the claimant’s counsel but stated that, under the circumstances, he had no option but to grant the requested adjournment.

Kosoko then argued that the judge should order the case to be heard on the adjourned date, regardless of whether the defence team’s principal counsel was present in court or not.

October 13, 2025, was selected as the new adjournment date, and the judge ruled that the trial would commence and possibly be closed that day.

He also ordered the plaintiff’s counsel to serve the hearing notice on the second defendant, Vintage Press Ltd.
Anyanwu took Ohakim to court over an interview he granted to a Newspaper, published on January 12, 2025, in which she alleged that the former governor defamed her.

Through her lawyers, she requested that he publish an apology in two national dailies, including the original paper in which it was first published.

Instead, Ohakim filed a defence in which he justified the alleged defamatory comments as fair comment.