N50bn libel suit: Court admits evidence against Alex Otti’s accuser

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has admitted key evidence in the ongoing N50 billion defamation suit filed by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, against social media commentator, Hon. Tobias Chukwudi Egeonu, popularly known as Hon. Toby Chuks.

The proceedings went ahead on Tuesday despite the absence of both the defendant and his legal counsel, Nnamdi U. Mba, Esq. Justice A.O. Ebong, presiding over the matter, ruled that the defence had prior knowledge of the hearing date, having been present during a previous session on March 27, 2025. The court therefore allowed the claimant’s counsel to proceed.

Representing Governor Otti, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Sonny Ajala led the legal team and called Architect Uche Jude Uche—an old schoolmate of the governor—as the first prosecution witness (PW1).

Uche tendered a copy of the allegedly defamatory Facebook post titled “What Alex Otti Cannot Destroy Does Not Exist”, authored by the defendant on December 8, 2024. The court admitted the post, along with supporting documents, into evidence.

The case was adjourned to December 8, 2025, for cross-examination of the witness—provided the defence appears.

The suit stems from Egeonu’s Facebook publication, which accused Governor Otti of financial impropriety during his time as Group Managing Director of the now-defunct Diamond Bank and alleged corruption during his current tenure as Abia State governor.

Describing the post as “a syndicated tissue of wicked and malicious lies,” Otti’s legal team demanded an unreserved apology and a retraction published both on Facebook and in four national dailies—ThisDay, The Punch, The Nation, and The National Ambassador. They also demanded N50 billion in damages and N150 million in legal costs.

Following the defendant’s failure to comply with a seven-day ultimatum issued on December 13, 2024, Otti initiated legal proceedings.

On February 11, 2025, Justice Ebong granted permission to serve court processes on Egeonu through electronic means, including Facebook and WhatsApp. This followed confirmation that Egeonu had acknowledged receipt of the demand via WhatsApp on December 14, 2024.

In suit number FCT/HC/CV/66/2025, Governor Otti is seeking a declaration that the publication damaged his reputation, as well as an injunction restraining Egeonu from issuing further defamatory statements.