Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has demanded N25 billion in damages from the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anthony Aziegbemi, over alleged defamation of character and libel.
The governor also asked Mr Aziegbemi to issue an apology to be published in three national dailies.
The demands were contained in a letter dated 22 December, addressed to the PDP state chairman and signed by Governor Okpebholo’s lawyer, R.I.D Okezie, Esq.
The letter is titled, “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the executive governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo”.
According to the letter, the governor has given Aziegbemi seven days to pay the N25 billion damages and publish a retraction in three national newspapers.
Parts of the letter read, “Our client’s attention has recently been drawn to a press release by you as the Factional Chairman of Edo State PDP, Caretaker Committee on the 7th January, 2025, which has been published by several newspapers in Nigeria and on-line news organizations wherein you repeatedly disparaged the reputation and character of our client and the high office he occupy in this State.
“In the said publication, you published the following words to disparage and ridicule the good reputation and image of our client, which he has meticulously built over the years as a responsible politician, dating back to his days as a Senator in the Nigerian National Assembly.”
