Abia Governor Sues APC Spokesman for N5 Billion

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has taken legal action against Uche Aguoru, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Aguoru accused Otti of being part of a scheme to disrupt the APC in Abia State.

Otti is a member of the Labour Party and won the governorship election in Abia in 2023.

Claims of Disruption

On 31 May, Aguoru issued a statement claiming that an unnamed businessman, who is a former APC member and a close friend of Otti, paid N5 billion to certain people at the APC Headquarters to create chaos within the party.

He also said that part of the N5 billion went to a leading APC aspirant with the goal of causing confusion, division, and weakening the party's unity. Aguoru accused Otti's government of wasting taxpayers' money on political issues instead of focusing on the needs of the people in Abia.

Notice and Lawsuit

In June, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Otti sent a pre-action notice to Aguoru. In this notice, Otti demanded that Aguoru withdraw the statement, apologize, and provide the names of those involved in the transaction or face a lawsuit.

A letter from Otti's lawyers, Ken Ahia & Associates, dated 3 June 2026, required Aguoru to meet these demands within seven days of receiving the letter. When Aguoru did not comply, Otti filed the lawsuit against him at the Abia State High Court in Umuahia.

According to a writ of summons seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Otti filed the case on 3 July 2026. He stated that he was suing Aguoru as a private citizen, not as a governor or in any official capacity.

Otti said the lawsuit was due to his belief that Aguoru had “unlawfully attacked his reputation.”

Relief Sought

Otti is asking the court to declare that Aguoru's Facebook posts from 31 May 2026 were false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation.

He wants the court to declare that the posts suggested he is corrupt, dishonest, involved in misusing public funds, engaged in political bribery, abused his office, committed fraud, manipulated the judiciary, abused state institutions, and is unfit for public office.

Otti has requested the court to order Aguoru to permanently delete and retract all the posts from his social media accounts. He also wants Aguoru to publish a public apology in at least two national newspapers and on Facebook within 30 days of the court's decision.

Additionally, Otti asked the court to make Aguoru publish the court's ruling on his Facebook page and keep it pinned for 30 consecutive days.

Otti is also seeking a temporary injunction to stop Aguoru or his agents from making any more defamatory claims against him.

He is demanding N5 billion in general and exemplary damages. Otti also wants the court to require Aguoru to cover the cost of the lawsuit. Furthermore, Otti is asking for a post-judgment interest on any awarded damages at the rate of 10% per year from the date of the judgment until payment is complete.