Governor Alex Otti Sues Abia APC Spokesman for ₦5 Billion Over Alleged Defamation

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has taken legal action against the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Uche Aguoru, filing a ₦5 billion defamation suit over allegations made against him on social media.

The case, filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, is listed as Suit No. HU/126/2026, with Governor Otti as the claimant and Aguoru as the defendant.

According to court documents, the lawsuit stems from social media publications in which Aguoru allegedly accused the governor of corruption, diversion of public funds, abuse of office, political inducement, interference in the affairs of another political party, and judicial intimidation.

Governor Otti, through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kenneth Ahia, argued that the allegations are false, malicious and defamatory, insisting they have damaged his reputation.

The governor is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory and order Aguoru to withdraw the statements and issue an unreserved public apology.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the APC spokesman from making similar publications in the future, alongside ₦5 billion in damages and the cost of the legal action.

Speaking on the development, Aguoru confirmed that he had been served with the lawsuit. He disclosed that his legal team had already responded to the court process.

The APC spokesman, however, described the suit as an attempt to silence dissenting voices ahead of the next elections, maintaining that the legal action was politically motivated.