Abia governor sues APC spokesman for N5 billion over defamation

Abia State Governor Alex Otti is pursuing a N5 billion lawsuit against the All Progressives Congress spokesman in the state, Uche Aguoru. The legal action stems from accusations made by Aguoru, who claimed Otti was involved in a plot to destabilize the APC in the South-eastern region. Otti, a member of the Labour Party, won the governorship in 2023.

Aguoru's statement on May 31 alleged that an unnamed businessman, a former APC member and friend of Otti, paid N5 billion to individuals at the APC Headquarters to disrupt the party. He further claimed a portion of these funds went to an APC aspirant to sow division. Aguoru also accused Otti's administration of misusing taxpayer money on political schemes instead of addressing the state's needs.

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unlawfully attacked his reputation.

Governor Otti had previously issued a pre-action notice in June, demanding Aguoru retract his statement, apologize, and provide details of those involved within seven days. After Aguoru failed to comply, Otti filed the lawsuit on July 3 at the Abia State High Court. Otti stated he is suing Aguoru as a private citizen, asserting that the APC spokesman unlawfully attacked his reputation.

The governor is asking the court to declare Aguoru's publications false, malicious, and defamatory. He seeks a declaration that the statements implied he is corrupt, dishonest, guilty of bribery, abuse of office, and unfit for public service. Otti also requests the court order Aguoru to permanently remove the publications from social media, issue a public apology in national newspapers and on Facebook, and post the court's judgment on his Facebook page.

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meant and were understood to mean that the Claimant (Mr Otti) is corrupt, dishonest, guilty of diversion of public funds, political bribery, abuse of office, fraud, manipulation of the judiciary, abuse of state institutions and unfit to hold public office.