Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti Seeks N5 Billion in Damages Over Defamatory Report

Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti Seeks N5 Billion in Damages Over Defamatory Report

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has demanded a retraction, apology, and N5 billion in damages from Sir Don Ubani, a former commissioner and PDP member, over a report alleging the governor's acquisition of two hotels in Umuahia. The report, titled "Governor Alexander Otti Of Abia State Should Be Clapped For," claimed that Otti had acquired Comfort Hotel and Luxurious Maget Hotel.

According to Otti's lawyers, led by Dr. Sonny Ajala, SAN of Deeplaw Associates, the publication on Ubani's Facebook wall and blog accused the governor of "wanton land grabbing" in Umuehim and Umuguru villages. The lawyers maintain that Otti has no connection to the hotels in question and that the report was intended to "destroy and rubbish" the governor's image among stakeholders, including the banking sector, constituents, Labour Party leadership, and the general public.

Governor Otti is requesting a written apology to be published on Ubani's Facebook wall and blog, as well as a retraction of the report in prominent newspapers such as Thisday, Punch, The Nation, and National Ambassador. Specifically, Otti's lawyers have demanded that the apology and retraction be published within seven days, failing which Ubani will face legal action.

Dr. Alex Otti, a renowned economist and banker, was sworn in as the fifth democratically-elected Governor of Abia State on May 29, 2023. His administration has prioritized transparency, growth, and prosperity for the people of Abia State. In line with this commitment, Otti's lawyers stressed that the governor will not tolerate false information that undermines his reputation or the state's progress.

The N5 billion damages sought by Governor Otti are intended to address the harm caused by Ubani's defamatory report. The governor's legal team asserts that the report was malicious and aimed at tarnishing Otti's image.

The development is being closely watched, with many calling for greater accountability in public discourse. As the matter unfolds, concerns about the impact of misinformation on governance and public trust continue to grow.