A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 19 for the hearing of an alleged defamation suit filed by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, against the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, Professor Zachary Gundu.
Governor Sule is seeking ₦100.5 billion in damages, alleging that Professor Gundu made defamatory statements linking him to violent attacks in parts of Benue State.
According to the claimant, the alleged statements accused him of harbouring Fulani herdsmen who reportedly carried out attacks on Benue communities.
The statements were said to have been made on July 10, 2025.
The matter was adjourned by Justice Hamza Muazu following a request by counsel to the governor for additional time to respond to three pending applications filed by the defendant.
During proceedings, the claimant’s counsel argued that more time was required to adequately address the applications before the court could proceed to hear the substantive suit.
However, counsel to Professor Gundu, Sebastine Hon, SAN, opposed the request for adjournment, insisting that the claimant had ample time to respond.
Hon told the court that the applications had been filed since November last year, adding that further delay was unnecessary.
He also informed the court of his intention to withdraw two of the applications already before it.
According to him, the decision was meant to clear procedural hurdles and allow the court to focus on the substantive issues in dispute.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Muazu granted the adjournment and fixed January 19 for the hearing of the substantive defamation suit.
The case has drawn public attention due to the huge damages being claimed and the sensitive nature of the allegations involved.