Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has instituted a ₦5 billion defamation suit against the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Uche Aguoru, over alleged defamatory publications on social media.
The suit, filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, is marked HU/126/2026, with Governor Otti as the claimant and Mr. Aguoru as the defendant.
According to court documents, the governor alleged that the defendant made publications accusing him of corruption, diversion of public funds, abuse of office, political inducement, interference in the affairs of another political party and judicial intimidation.
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kenneth Ahia, Governor Otti described the allegations as false, malicious and defamatory, arguing that they were intended to damage his reputation.
The claimant is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory, order the defendant to retract the statements and publish an unreserved apology. He is also seeking an order restraining Mr. Aguoru from making similar publications in the future, as well as ₦5 billion in damages and the cost of the legal action.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Aguoru confirmed that he had been served with the suit, stating that his legal team has responded accordingly.
He, however, maintained that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence opposing voices ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The matter is expected to proceed before the High Court for determination.
