Federal lawmaker Terseer Ugbor from Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency has taken legal action against Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, filing a N1 billion defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed at the Benue State High Court, also names the governor’s Chief Press Secretary and media aide as co-defendants.
Ugbor is seeking a court order for the removal of defamatory posts from the governor’s Facebook pages, a public apology in national newspapers and on social media platforms, and a perpetual injunction against further defamatory statements. Ugbor had requested aid for victims of herdsmen attacks, and after arranging transportation of relief materials, Governor Alia allegedly impounded the vehicle and made defamatory accusations on social media and in a video.
In addition to the N1 billion in damages, Ugbor is seeking other reliefs from the court. The case awaits a hearing date.