Calculate Sues Adamawa Commissioner Bala Kalu for N250m in Explosive Defamation Case

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Adamawa State, prominent activist and politician Alhaji Umar Bello Jada, widely known as “Calculate,” has filed a N250 million defamation lawsuit against Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, alias Bala Kalu, the state’s Commissioner for Environment.

The suit, lodged under writ of summons No. HC/ADSY/2025 on June 17, 2025, at the Adamawa State High Court, accuses Sadiq of orchestrating a malicious campaign to tarnish Calculate’s reputation.

Calculate is seeking N250 million in general damages for libel, a court order for Sadiq to remove the offending posts, a public apology in three national newspapers, and N5 million to cover legal fees and litigation costs

According to court documents, Calculate alleges that on May 25, 2025, Sadiq posted defamatory statements on his Facebook page, describing Calculate in derogatory terms that damaged his standing in political and business circles.

The plaintiff claims these statements were a deliberate attempt to malign his character and erode public trust in his integrity. Calculate is seeking N250 million in general damages for libel, a court order for Sadiq to remove the offending posts, a public apology in three national newspapers, and N5 million to cover legal fees and litigation costs.

This legal battle follows a contentious episode earlier this month when Calculate was arrested and detained on defamation charges allegedly instigated by Sadiq Wali, a traditional titleholder (Walin Ganye), and his son, Adamu Wali.

The current lawsuit appears to be Calculate’s counteroffensive to reclaim his reputation amid what he describes as politically motivated attacks

The Chief Magistrate Court II in Yola, presided over by Magistrate Musa Alhaji, imposed stringent bail conditions, including a N5 million bond and a first-class traditional ruler as surety, which kept Calculate in detention over the Sallah period. Public outcry and legal intervention led to the Adamawa State High Court granting Calculate bail on June 10, 2025, under more lenient terms, with Justice Ahmed Isa criticizing the magistrate court’s procedural irregularities.

The current lawsuit appears to be Calculate’s counteroffensive to reclaim his reputation amid what he describes as politically motivated attacks. The feud is further complicated by Sadiq’s role as Commissioner for Environment, who previously targeted Calculate’s property for demolition, citing violations of the state’s master plan and the illegal conversion of refuse depots into residential spaces.

This move has fueled speculation that the defamation suit is part of a broader political rivalry ahead of the 2027 elections.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing on June 24, 2025

Legal experts suggest the case could set a precedent for defamation disputes in Nigeria’s politically charged environment. Calculate’s legal team, led by Desmond Adebole, has filed for a judicial review, arguing that Sadiq’s actions were unlawful and aimed at silencing a vocal critic of the state government. Meanwhile, Sadiq’s camp has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but sources close to the commissioner indicate he intends to contest the claims vigorously.

As Adamawa’s political landscape heats up, this high-stakes courtroom drama between Calculate and Bala Kalu is drawing widespread attention, with implications for local power dynamics and freedom of expression. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on June 24, 2025, and observers anticipate a contentious legal battle that could reshape the state’s political narrative.

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