Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has filed a N2 billion libel suit against Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Rivers State Head of Service, and Channels Incorporated Limited, the parent company of Channels Television.
The lawsuit, which was filed at the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, stems from allegations aired on Channels Television on March 29.
In the broadcast, Nwaeke accused Ehie of orchestrating the fire that destroyed the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, among other claims.
According to a report by SaharaReporters in March, Nwaeke also accused Governor Fubara of sponsoring explosions at several oil facilities in the state.
He further alleged that Fubara masterminded the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in an attempt to avoid his impeachment.
Nwaeke claimed that during the political unrest, Fubara instructed his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set fire to the Assembly complex to prevent the impeachment.
He also alleged that he personally witnessed money being handed over for the operation at the Government House.
Ehie, who had vehemently denied Nwaeke’s allegations, filed the suit through his legal team, demanding N2 billion in general damages.
He argued that the televised accusations were unfounded and severely damaged his reputation, character, and public image.
Describing the broadcast as “false and most disparaging,” Ehie asserted that the statements exposed him to public scandal, ridicule, and contempt, as reported by The Nation.
In addition to seeking monetary compensation, Ehie is requesting a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from further broadcasting or distributing the libelous statements.
He is also demanding a public retraction and formal apology from both defendants, which should be aired on Channels TV, another national television network, and published in two widely circulated Nigerian newspapers.
Presiding over the case, Justice Jumbo Stephens granted permission for substituted service on the first defendant, Dr. Nwaeke, by pasting court documents at his residence on No. 10 Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
The court also ordered that the suit be served via publication in a national daily newspaper with a broad readership in Abuja and across Nigeria.
The case was adjourned to April 10 for proof of service.
