Attah Onoja, commander of the mining marshals unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has filed a defamation suit against Terver Najime, a lawyer, and Abel Augustine, publisher of Signal News Global.
The suit was filed before a high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.
In the writ of summons, Onoja accused the defendants of publishing a report alleging that he demanded N50 million from a mining company to secure the release of its arrested staff.
The publication, titled “Busted: Mining Firm Petitions DSS Over Alleged N50m Extortion by Mining Marshal ACC Onoja”, was published on December 31, 2025, on the Signal News Global platform.
Onoja told the court that the report is false, malicious and defamatory, adding that it damaged his reputation.
He asked the court to declare that the allegations contained in the publication are defamatory and unjustifiable, while also requesting an order directing the defendants to retract the report and issue an unreserved apology in two national newspapers and on the Signal News Global website.
Onoja further asked the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing similar allegations against him in any form.
The claimant is seeking N2 billion as general and exemplary damages, as well as the cost of litigation and 10 percent monthly interest on the judgement sum until payment is completed.
The defendants are to enter an appearance within seven days of being served with the writ or risk judgement being entered against them in their absence.
BACKGROUND
The dispute dates back to December 27, 2025, when operatives of the mining marshals unit of the NSCDC carried out an operation at Kebi Mangoro in Kuje area council of the FCT over alleged illegal mining activities.
During the operation, the team arrested five suspects identified as Muhammed Aliyu (39), Abdulrahman Hashimu (32), Tahir Muhammed (43), Awaje Abduljalal (19), and Kabiru Adamu (38).
After the arrest, Onoja said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal mining operations across parts of Abuja and the neighbouring Nasarawa state.
He also alleged that the suspects impersonated officials of the NSCDC by using a Toyota Hilux vehicle branded with the colours and insignia of the corps, which investigators said was used to evade checkpoints and intimidate stakeholders in the mining sector.
During interrogation, one of the suspects reportedly told investigators that the activities were linked to Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, popularly known as Mundasa, the founder of Mundasa Global Limited, who was said to be directing the mining operations.
The mining marshals also alleged that the suspects were operating without the licences and statutory documentation required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Subsequently, the suspects were temporarily released on bail after an application by their lawyer, Terver Najime.
However, the incident later generated controversy after a petition was reportedly submitted to the DSS, accusing Onoja of demanding N50 million from the mining company in exchange for facilitating the release of the arrested suspects.
The allegation formed the basis of a report published on December 31, 2025, which accused the mining marshal of extortion.
Onoja has since denied the claim, insisting that the allegation is false and malicious, prompting him to approach the court with a defamation suit against the publisher and journalist behind the report.
