By Sophia Afolabi

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has instituted a N5 billion defamation suit against the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Uche Aguoru, over alleged defamatory publications made on social media.

The suit, marked HU/126/2026, was filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, with Governor Otti listed as the claimant and Aguoru as the defendant.

According to the court filings, the action stems from social media posts 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, described the allegations as false, malicious, and defamatory. He is asking the court to declare the publications defamatory, order the defendant to retract the statements and publish an unreserved apology.

The governor is also seeking an order restraining Aguoru from making further defamatory publications against him, as well as N5 billion in damages and the cost of the suit.

Reacting to the development, Aguoru confirmed that he had been served with the court processes, stating that his legal team had already responded to the suit.