Anambra based Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu, SAN, has instituted a N500 million defamation suit against Mr. Nnaemeka Ezenwuba over alleged defamatory publications circulated on WhatsApp and other platforms.
The suit cited by our correspondent with suit No. O/301/2026, was filed on August 24, 2026, at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.
In the writ of summons, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant published a material titled “History behind the fold of Amesi Cooperative Society” on the Amesi Political Class WhatsApp Platform and other platforms on July 15, 2026, at about 8:16 p.m.
Prof. Ubanyionwu in the Court Process, described the alleged publications as “false, malicious, baseless and defamatory”, claiming that they injured his reputation, character, integrity, public and private image, and goodwill.
The plaintiff is consequently seeking N500 million in general damages for the alleged injury caused by the publication.
Apart from the monetary claim, the professor is asking the court to order the defendant to issue a full, unreserved and unequivocal retraction and apology within seven days of judgment.
According to the writ, the proposed apology would be published at the defendant’s expense on the Amesi Political Class WhatsApp Platform and other platforms where the alleged publications were circulated.
The plaintiff is also asking the court to direct that any such retraction and apology remain prominently displayed and, where possible, pinned to the top of the relevant account for as long as the account remains active.
He further wants the defendant ordered to delete and remove from platforms under his ownership or control the publications complained of in the suit.
Prof. Ubanyionwu is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his servants, agents, representatives, privies or anyone acting on his instructions from allegedly publishing, reposting, distributing or circulating the publications complained of or any substantially similar allegations. The injunction sought specifically relates to allegations the plaintiff says impute fraud, scam or criminality to him.
The plaintiff is additionally asking the court to award the costs of the action and post-judgment interest on any monetary award at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, or such other rate as the court may determine, from the date of judgment until full liquidation.
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