Alleged False Publication: Mining Marshals Commander Slams ₦20bn Defamation Suit on Lawyer, Journalist
Attah John Onoja, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, has filed a ₦20 billion defamation lawsuit against Terver Douglas Najime, a legal practitioner, and Abel Augustine, an online journalist with signalng.com. The suit, filed by Onoja’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, stems from a malicious petition purportedly submitted to the Department State Services, and subsequently published online, alleging that Onoja demanded ₦50 million from Mundasa Global Company Limited to release detained staff, following their arrest at an illegal mining site on 27 December, 2025, particularly at Kebi Mangoro, within Kuje Area Council, following what officials described as a credible intelligence tip-off on ongoing illegal mining operations.
Those arrested were identified as Muhammed Aliyu, 39; Abdulrahman Hashimu, 32; Tahir Muhammed, 43; Awaje Abduljalal, 19; and Kabiru Adamu, 38.
The Mining Marshals had disclosed that while investigations were ongoing, intelligence reports indicated that the principal suspect and other accomplices still at large allegedly approached the nominal complainant — the lawful mineral title holder on whose concession the arrests were made — in an attempt to compromise and undermine the investigation. And that it was after efforts made to drop the case had failed, that the parties resorted to blackmail.
The publication, which went viral online, accused Onoja of extortion, abuse of office, and criminal intimidation, causing damage to his reputation. When contacted, however, the Department of State Services confirmed to Onoja that no such petition was submitted, indicating bad faith, and prompting the filing of the defamation suit.
Onoja alleges that the false publication was aimed to harass him into dropping criminal charges against Mundasa staff arrested for illegal mining activities.
According to sources, Onoja’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, is seeking ₦20 billion in damages, among other reliefs, alleging that the publication has injured the reputation of his client without any lawful justification.
Our correspondence gathered, that the suit has been served on Najime, while efforts continue to serve Augustine by substituted means.
When contacted, Mr. Onoja hinted that the Mundasa Company would be joined in the suit, after the two defendants had put in their defense.
The development has sent shockwaves through the mining community, with many calling for accountability for those spreading false information. Onoja’s lawyer, Adedipe, expressed confidence in the court’s ability to deliver justice, stating that his client, “Mr. Onoja will not be intimidated or blackmailed into dropping legitimate charges against those engaging in illegal activities.”
The case is expected to be a major test of the Nigerian legal system’s ability to protect public officials from malicious attacks on their reputation.
Onoja’s decision to take legal action has been hailed as a bold move to clear his name and restore his reputation, and the Court has reportedly set the 17th of April, 2026 for Mention.
