An interlocutory injunction prohibiting former Abia State Commissioner for Information Barr. Eze Chikamnayo from making or publishing allegedly defamatory remarks against Governor Alex Chioma Otti has been granted by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while the governor’s ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit is being decided.
In a ruling on Thursday, Justice J.E. Obanor ordered Chikamnayo to refrain from “writing, authoring, sharing, circulating, broadcasting, voicing, forwarding and/or syndicating” any defamatory content against the claimant on his Facebook wall, Iyierioba Chikamnayo, or on any other social or digital media platforms, including X, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, as well as traditional media, including newspapers, radio, and television, while the substantive suit is still pending.
“I am satisfied as to the need to grant the interlocutory order sought, having carefully considered the application and all the processes before the Court, and there being no process challenging the same,” the judge declared. Motion No. M/15807/2025 is hereby granted, and while the substantive suit is being decided, the orders are made in accordance with the prayers.
The case was postponed by the court until January 19, 2026.
The decision came after Governor Otti’s legal team, represented by Dr. Sonny Ajala, SAN, filed a petition on notice in which they accused Chikamnayo of publishing derogatory content against the governor even after receiving court procedures on October 17, 2025.
After receiving the initiating procedures in the lawsuit, Chikamnayo allegedly posted a number of messages on his Facebook page between October 17 and October 31, 2025, according to court documents. The governor was purportedly disparaged in a few of the posts.
The governor’s legal team claimed in an affidavit supporting the motion, which was deposed to by Ifeanyi Michael Agbo, practice manager at Deeplaw Associates, that the defendant—described as a lawyer—continued to publish derogatory materials against the claimant despite being aware of the ongoing lawsuit.
The declaration further claimed that the releases were meant to harm the governor’s reputation and stir up public animosity.
Otti’s attorney said in a written statement supporting the move that the ongoing publishing were against the sub judice concept, which forbids acts or remarks that could harm cases that are still open in court.
Additionally, Dr. Ajala argued that the behavior in question violated Rule 30 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, which forbids attorneys from engaging in activities that could impede or negatively impact the administration of justice.
The demand letter of October 2, 2025, which called for the retraction of the allegedly defamatory publications, was followed by the substantive suit, which was filed on October 8, 2025. The defendant reportedly failed to comply with the letter within the allotted seven days.
Governor Otti is suing to get a declaration that the purportedly malicious and fraudulent publications have seriously damaged his position, goodwill, and character. In addition, he is seeking ₦100 billion in compensation for emotional, psychological, and reputational harm.
In addition, the governor is requesting that the court order the defendant to submit an unconditional apology for publication on his Facebook page and in a few national media, as well as a perpetual injunction prohibiting future defamatory writings and ₦250 million in legal fees.
Prior to this, on October 16, 2025, the court was informed that Chikamnayo could be reached via his phone, WhatsApp number, and Facebook wall. As a result, Justice Obanor granted permission to serve court proceedings on Chikamnayo via these alternate methods.
In order to avoid having a judgment entered in his absence, the defendant was required to make an appearance within 30 days of serving.
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