ABUJA – A High Court sitting in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has granted Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, until 12:00 PM on Friday, January 16, to file a counter-affidavit regarding a challenge to the court’s jurisdiction in his lawsuit against Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu.
The Government of Nasarawa State (GNS) and Governor Sule jointly sued Prof. Gundu, leader of the Tiv Professionals, over comments made on July 10, 2025. The plaintiffs are seeking N100.5 billion in damages and litigation costs. The suit is marked FCT/HC/CV/3554/2025, with Prof. Gundu as the sole defendant.
The Defense Arguments
In his statement of defense, Prof. Gundu vehemently denied mentioning the Government of Nasarawa State in his remarks. His legal team argued that the claimants’ own pleadings acknowledge that the alleged defamation applies only to Governor Sule personally.
The defense contends that since the GNS was not mentioned, all paragraphs in the claim referring to “Claimants” in the plural (specifically paragraphs 10–12 and 16–35) should be struck out.
Furthermore, the defense argued that combining a plaintiff with a legitimate cause of action with a plaintiff who has none, and seeking joint relief, is “unknown to law” and constitutes an abuse of the court process.
Demands for Dismissal
TNT understands that the lead defense counsel, Prof. Hon, SAN, is asking the court to dismiss the suit at the threshold by upholding the preliminary objection (PO). Additionally, the defense is seeking “substantial costs” against both GNS and Governor Sule.
Should the court decide to proceed to the substance of the suit, the defense maintains that the matter should be dismissed on its merits. They have reportedly provided data and documentation regarding lawsuits over land seizures in Nasarawa State to bolster their defense.
Adjournment
The presiding judge had originally fixed today, Thursday, January 15, for the hearing of the preliminary objection.
When the matter was called, counsel for the claimants, Anone Usman, Esq. (holding brief for Ahmed Raji, SAN), applied for an adjournment to file a counter-affidavit to the defendant’s objection. Although the defense team opposed the application, the court granted the request.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday, January 19, for a definite hearing on the Notice of Preliminary Objection.
