Ex Abia HoS Slams N100m Libel Suit Against 2 Facebook Users | Read Details
A former Acting Head of Service (HoS) in Abia State, Lady Joy Maduka, has filed a N100 million libel lawsuit against two Facebook users, Nwokeukwu Mascot Nnamdi and Bethel Agbara.
Maduka, who was recently retired by Governor Alex Otti, in a suit marked HU/23/2024 and filed before the Abia State High Court in Umuahia, said the duo made false publications on their Facebook pages respectively, accusing her of embezzling N20 million and diverting N13 million of public funds.
Barrister Nwabueze Chukwueke in the suit stated that the allegation against his client has brought her public scandal, ridicule and diminished her estimation in the eyes of right thinking members of the society, including but not limited to her friends, business associates and family members”.
He therefore seeks N100 million in compensation from the defendants and a court order requiring them to issue a public apology in two national newspapers for the claimant.
The suit read in part;
“The 1st Defendant in his Facebook wall falsely published and accused the Claimant of diversion and embezzlement of N20 million and N13 million, respectively.
“The 1st Defendant maliciously defamed the Claimant when he carelessly and recklessly published that one of the primary allegations against the retired Perm Sec involves the diversion of N20 million intended for workers; and looting N13 million from the Ministry of Environment account shortly after her promotion to Perm Sec.”
Maduka’s retirement on June 14, 2024, through a circular issued by the current HoS, Mrs Queen Obioma, did not specify any reason. The circular simply stated it was a directive from the Governor.
