Mining Commander Sues for N20bn Over Defamation Claims

Onoja, the Mining Marshals Commander, has initiated a N20 billion defamation lawsuit against lawyer Adeola Adedip and a journalist in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The suit arises from allegations made by the defendants, who claimed that Onoja attempted to extort Mundasa Global Company Limited for the release of its staff, previously arrested on December 27, 2025, during an operation targeting illegal mining activities in Kuje.

The operation led to the apprehension of several suspects, including Muham Aliyu, Abdulrahman Hashimu, Tahir Muham, Awaj Abduljal, and Kabiru Adamu. Onoja's legal team asserts that the allegations are false and damaging to his reputation, prompting him to seek legal redress.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly confirmed that no such petition was submitted against Onoja. The case has sparked significant reactions within the mining sector, with stakeholders urging caution against spreading unverified claims that could undermine law enforcement efforts.