Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti (OFR), has instituted a ₦5 billion defamation suit against the Publicity Secretary of (APC) in Abia State, Uche Aguoru, over alleged defamatory publications made on social media.
The suit, filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, stems from two Facebook posts allegedly published by the defendant on May 31, 2026, titled “APC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot By Abia State Government To Destabilize The Party” and on June 6, 2026, titled “No Amount of Intimidation, Threats or Oppression Can Stop Us From Holding The Government To Account.”
According to the court documents, Governor Otti contends that the publications are false, malicious, and defamatory, and that they portrayed him as corrupt, dishonest, involved in the diversion of public funds, political bribery, abuse of office, fraud, manipulation of the judiciary, abuse of state institutions, and generally unfit to hold public office.
Among the reliefs sought, the Governor is asking the court to:
- Declare the publications false and defamatory.
- Order the defendant to publish a full retraction of the statements across all platforms where they were disseminated.
- Compel the defendant to tender an unreserved apology in at least two national newspapers and on his Facebook page.
- Direct the removal of the alleged defamatory publications from all social media platforms under the defendant’s control.
- Order the publication of the court’s judgment on the defendant’s Facebook page for 30 consecutive days.
- Restrain the defendant permanently from making similar allegations against the Governor.
- Award ₦5 billion as general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, alongside the cost of the suit and post-judgment interest at 10 percent per annum.
The originating processes were filed by the Governor’s legal team led by Kenneth Ahia, SAN, while the defendant has been directed to enter an appearance within 14 days after being served with the writ, failing which the matter may proceed in his absence.
The Court has fixed July 28th 2026 for Hearing of the Case.
