Governor Alex Otti Files ₦5 Billion Defamation Suit Against Abia APC Publicity Secretary

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has instituted a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Uche Aguoru, over alleged defamatory statements published on social media.

The suit, marked HU/126/2026, was filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division. Governor Otti is the claimant in the case, while Aguoru is listed as the defendant. The governor is represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kenneth Ahia.

According to the originating court documents, the governor contends that Aguoru made a series of allegations against him on social media, accusing him of corruption, diversion of public funds, abuse of office, political inducement, interference in the internal affairs of another political party, and judicial intimidation.

Governor Otti maintains that the allegations are false, malicious, and defamatory, arguing that they were intended to damage his reputation and lower his standing in the eyes of the public.

In the suit, the governor is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory and order the defendant to retract the statements and publish an unreserved apology in appropriate media platforms.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Aguoru, his agents, or associates from making or publishing similar statements in the future.

Additionally, Governor Otti is asking the court to award him ₦5 billion in general damages for the alleged harm caused by the publications, as well as the cost of instituting the legal action.

Reacting to the development, Aguoru confirmed that he had been served with the court processes. He disclosed that his legal team has already responded to the suit and expressed readiness to defend the allegations in court.

The APC spokesman described the legal action as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices ahead of the forthcoming elections, insisting that the matter would be resolved through the judicial process.

The case is expected to come up before the High Court in Umuahia on a date to be communicated by the court, as both parties prepare to present their arguments.