Governor Alex Otti Demands N100bn Compensation and Public Apology from Ex-Commissioner Eze Chikamnayo over Defamatory Facebook Posts

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has issued a formal demand to former Information Commissioner, Hon. Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, seeking a written retraction, public apology, and the sum of N100 billion in compensation for what he described as “defamatory and malicious” online publications.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by his legal counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala, SAN of Deeplaw Associates, the governor accused Chikamnayo of consistently publishing false and damaging statements against him on his Facebook account titled Iyierioba Chikamnayo.

The letter highlighted specific posts, including those captioned “Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and disaster!” published on September 22, 2025, and “Fighting Promax!!!!” posted on September 21, 2025. Other cited posts include “Old or new Abia?” (September 14, 2025), “Sabbath Message” (September 13, 2025), and “Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!” (August 15, 2025).

According to Ajala, these posts amounted to deliberate attacks designed to damage Otti’s reputation and incite public hatred. He stressed that Dr. Otti has no criminal indictment or conviction by any court of law, dismissing the allegations as baseless fabrications.

Ajala also pointed out that Otti has built a distinguished career, rising to the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive of Diamond Bank Plc before joining politics. The defamatory posts, he argued, inflicted “unquantifiable mental torture, depression, denigration, and brutal destruction” of the governor’s hard-earned reputation.

Governor Otti’s demands include:

• A written retraction of all defamatory posts on the same Facebook wall.
• Publication of retractions in four national dailies: ThisDay, Punch, The Nation, and National Ambassador.
• A written apology published on the same Facebook account.
• Compensation of N100 billion for reputational damages.
• An undertaking to refrain from future defamatory publications.

 warned that if Chikamnayo fails to comply within seven days, legal proceedings will be instituted without further notice.

This development underscores the rising tension between Governor Otti and political opponents, while also raising questions on the boundaries of free expression and defamation in Nigeria’s online space.