Court Admits Evidence In Alleged Defamation Suit Against Gov Eno’s Critic

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital, has admitted as Exhibit ‘A’, a petition written to the commissioner of police (CP) Baba Azare, against one Princess God’sown Udoito, a critic of Governor Umo Eno.

Princess Udoito is standing trial before the State High Court 8, Metro Road, Uyo, over alleged defamatory publications against the State Governor, whom he accused of being in the habit of land grabbing including the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in her Eket local government area, without compensation.

The document was tendered at the resumed hearing of the prosecution from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Friday Itim, Esq, during the continuation of evidence by the first prosecution witness (PW1), Ememobong Nicholas, Esq, during the resumed hearing of the matter which was rescheduled for Wednesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Nicholas, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch, told the court that he instructed a lawyer to write the petition in his capacity as senior special assistant (SSA),to the Governor on Legal Documentation, and with the authority of the governor.

The defence counsel, Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq., a former chairman of the NBA, Eket Branch, did not object to the admissibility of the petition, following which the court admitted it in evidence and marked it as Exhibit ‘A’.

While testifying, the witness further informed the court that he provided the Police with a link to the defendant’s Facebook page and identified videos allegedly made by the defendant in both English and Ekid languages, describing the contents as defamatory and life-threatening to the Governor.

Though he admitted that he was not of Ekid origin, the witness stated that he understood the Ekid language, having lived in Eket for over 20 years with his father, who worked and retired from ExxonMobil.

However, proceedings were momentarily stalled when the prosecution sought to play the Facebook videos in open court.

The defence objected on the grounds that the television screen available in court was not clearly visible to the judge and members of the gallery.

Defence counsel, therefore, requested the provision of a larger screen to ensure proper viewing by the court and all parties.

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Winifred Umohandi, granted the application and adjourned the hearing and cross examination of the first prosecution witness.

Princess Udoito is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, publication of defamatory matter, conduct capable of causing extreme fear, nuisance and seditious publication to which she pleaded not guilty to all the charges.