Governor Monday Okpebholo has served Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with a ₦25 billion libel suit and given him seven days to pay damages or face legal action. The lawsuit follows allegations by Aziegbemi that the governor employed thugs and non-state actors to carry out duties of the Edo State Government claims Okpebholo’s legal team says are false and defamatory.
The governor’s counsel, Ray Okezie, demanded that Aziegbemi also publish unreserved apologies in three national newspapers within the same seven-day period, accusing him of harming Okpebholo’s reputation and undermining public confidence in his administration. The notice contends that the PDP chairman’s statements exceed legitimate political criticism and venture into defamatory conduct with serious legal consequences.
This legal development comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Edo State, where the APC-led government and PDP opposition have traded sharp accusations over governance performance and political conduct in recent months.
