Port Harcourt, Rivers State – April 9, 2025 – Prominent Rivers State figure, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, has initiated a significant legal battle, seeking ₦100 million in damages for defamation and breach of contract. The lawsuit targets Chinenye Agwumba, Kalabari TV, and two other unnamed parties, stemming from allegations disseminated through a televised broadcast and social media platforms.
The case, brought before a Rivers State High Court by Princewill’s legal representative, Professor Richard Wokocha, centers on claims that Prince Tonye Princewill failed to fulfill a contractual obligation related to the printing of burial brochures for his late father, King Professor T.J.T Princewill.
Professor Wokocha vehemently refuted these allegations, stating that the printing contract was awarded and fully paid for by the King’s burial committee. He emphasised that Prince Tonye Princewill was not personally responsible for overseeing the delivery of the materials, particularly given the emotional distress following his father’s passing.
“Mr. Agwumba failed to deliver the printed materials on time and to the agreed specifications,” Professor Wokocha asserted. “Despite this clear breach of contract, he proceeded to launch a campaign of unfounded accusations against the person of Tonye Princewill, utilising both online platforms and Kalabari TV.”
Adding a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, Professor Wokocha disclosed that attempts to formally serve the respondents with court documents had been repeatedly thwarted. Consequently, the Rivers State High Court has granted Princewill’s request for substituted service, paving the way for the legal process to move forward despite the alleged evasion tactics.
In a related development that could impact the unfolding legal saga, a separate lawsuit previously filed by Chinenye Agwumba against Princewill was reportedly struck out by the court due to procedural deficiencies.
A source close to Prince Tonye Princewill offered insights into the Prince’s motivations, stating that while he understands the legal process may be protracted, he is resolute in pursuing the matter. The lawsuit, according to the source, serves as a firm message that reputational damage and the spread of public misinformation will not be tolerated.
The source further alleged a potential motive behind the accusations, suggesting that the media team associated with Kalabari TV had earlier made a substantial financial demand for covering the King’s burial, which the burial committee ultimately declined. Despite Princewill’s lack of direct involvement in this decision, he reportedly became the focus of the subsequent allegations.
Highlighting Princewill’s efforts towards amicable resolution, the source revealed that he had encouraged the burial committee to seek a peaceful settlement and even facilitated an additional payment to the printer. This gesture, however, was allegedly not acknowledged by Mr. Agwumba in his subsequent public pronouncements.
Ultimately, the source concluded that Prince Tonye Princewill’s decision to pursue legal action underscores his belief that public platforms should not be exploited to unjustly coerce or malign individuals without any factual basis. The case is now scheduled to proceed in the Rivers State High Court in May 2025.
A copy of the writ of summons sighted by Africa Update has been published below:
