Okpebholo Slams ₦25bn Libel Suit on Edo PDP Chairman, Demands Public Apology
By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has given Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo PDP chairman, a seven-day ultimatum to pay ₦25 billion in damages and publish a public apology in three national dailies, including Vanguard and The Guardian, over alleged defamatory statements.
The governor’s lawyer, R.I.D. Okezie, Esq., claims Aziegbemi’s January 7, 2025, press release contained statements portraying Okpebholo as unintelligent, dishonest, and, lawless, and accused him of using thugs and non-state actors to carry out official duties .
The governor’s letter, dated December 22, 2025, states the alleged defamatory statements were widely circulated in national newspapers and online platforms, damaging Okpebholo’s reputation. Failure to comply with the demands may lead to legal action in a Nigerian court.
The letter is titled, “Demand for damages and apologies for defamation of the character of the executive governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo’.
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.”
