A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has admitted key evidence in the N50 billion libel suit filed by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, against political commentator and Facebook user, Hon. Tobias Chukwudi Egeonu, popularly known as Hon. Toby Chuks.
The court proceeded with the hearing on Tuesday despite the absence of both the defendant and his legal representative, Nnamdi U. Mba, Esq. Justice A.O. Ebong, who presided over the matter, ruled that the defence had prior knowledge of the hearing date, having participated in earlier proceedings on March 27, 2025. He therefore permitted the claimant’s legal team to continue.
Leading the prosecution, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Sonny Ajala, called the first witness, Architect Uche Jude Uche, a former classmate of Governor Otti. Uche presented a copy of the controversial Facebook post titled “What Alex Otti Cannot Destroy Does Not Exist,” published by the defendant on December 8, 2024. The post, along with other supporting documents, was admitted into evidence.
The case was adjourned to December 8, 2025, for the cross-examination of the witness—if the defendant or his counsel appears in court.
Governor Otti’s lawsuit stems from Egeonu’s Facebook publication, which accused him of financial mismanagement during his tenure as Group Managing Director of the now-defunct Diamond Bank, and of corruption as Abia State Governor.
Describing the post as “a syndicated tissue of wicked and malicious lies,” Otti’s legal team issued a demand letter on December 13, 2024, seeking a public apology and a retraction on Facebook and in four national newspapers: ThisDay, The Punch, The Nation, and The National Ambassador. The letter also demanded N50 billion in damages and N150 million in legal costs.
After Egeonu failed to comply within the stipulated seven days, legal proceedings were initiated. On February 11, 2025, Justice Ebong granted approval for substituted service via electronic means—Facebook and WhatsApp—after confirming the defendant acknowledged receiving the demand on December 14, 2024.
In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/66/2025, Governor Otti seeks a court declaration that the Facebook post damaged his reputation and an order restraining Egeonu from making further defamatory statements.
