Edo Gov’t Threatens Lawsuit Over Alleged Defamation Against Okpebholo, Others

The Edo State Ministry of Justice has sternly warned one Mr. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor over a social media publication allegedly described as malicious and defamatory against Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the state executive council.

In an official letter dated June 8, 2025, and signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, the state government condemned the viral post circulated on June 6, 2025, alleging irregularities and incompetence within the administration.

Edo State government described the publication as baseless, malicious, and intended to bring the Governor and his cabinet into disrepute.

According to the letter, the controversial post reportedly claimed that the state government had only held three Executive Council meetings in eight months, accusing the governor of residing mostly in Abuja while manipulating contract awards from the nation’s capital.

The author also alleged that state funds were being saved to pay for a Supreme Court judgment, referencing past contracts initiated by the previous administration.

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Osagie however dismissed the claims as “completely false,” emphasising that Governor Okpebholo-led administration, which is not yet eight months old has convened several Executive Council meetings, resulting in key development decisions, including ongoing flyover projects in Benin City.

The letter further accused Mr. Ifaluyi-Isibor of criminal defamation and warned that it would take both civil and criminal legal action him if a public retraction and apology were not made within 24 hours.

The demanded apology must be published across all social media platforms and in at least one national newspaper.

“This publication amounts to criminal defamation,” the Attorney General stated. “We intend to proceed against you through the security agencies for you to prove the criminal allegations you have made.”