Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill has sought ₦100 million in damages in a defamation and breach of contract lawsuit against Chinenye Agwumba, Kalabari TV, and two other parties.
The Rivers State High Court has allowed for substituted service of court documents due to ongoing challenges in serving the defendants, with the legal proceedings set to resume in May 2025.
The lawsuit, filed by Princewill’s legal representative, Professor Richard Wokocha, stems from accusations aired on Kalabari TV and shared across social media platforms.
The allegations claim that Princewill failed to fulfill a contract for the printing of burial brochures for his late father, King Prof. TJT Princewill.
Professor Wokocha clarified that the burial committee, not Princewill personally, awarded and paid for the contract, making it impossible for him to directly oversee the delivery of the materials.
He also noted that Agwumba failed to deliver the printed materials as required and subsequently made false accusations against Princewill both online and through Kalabari TV broadcasts.
The lawyer further revealed that efforts to serve court papers had been hindered by the defendants, leading the court to approve substituted service.
In addition, a separate lawsuit filed by Agwumba against Princewill was dismissed by the court for procedural errors.
Princewill’s case is scheduled to return to court in May 2025.
A source close to Princewill stated that while the legal process may take time, the lawsuit sends a clear message that reputational damage and online misinformation will not be tolerated.
The source also noted that Kalabari TV’s media team had previously demanded a significant fee for covering the King’s burial, which the burial committee declined.
Although Princewill was not directly involved in this decision, he became a target for criticism. Despite these challenges, Princewill had encouraged the burial committee to seek an amicable resolution, even facilitating an additional payment to the printer — a gesture that was not acknowledged by Agwumba in his public statements.
Princewill, according to the source, believed that public platforms should not be used to malign individuals or coerce them unfairly without evidence.
