A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, permission to serve court processes in his N100 billion defamation suit against a former Commissioner for Information, Hon. Eze Chikamnayo, through social media platforms.
In a ruling delivered on October 16, 2025, Justice J.E. Obanor approved the application for substituted service, allowing the court bailiff to deliver the writ of summons and other documents to Chikamnayo via his Facebook account and WhatsApp number.
The case has been adjourned to January 19, 2026, for hearing.
In the motion ex parte filed by Otti’s counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala (SAN), the governor sought permission for substituted service, noting that the defendant had previously used the same channels to receive a solicitor’s demand letter.
The letter, dated October 2, 2025, reportedly requested a retraction of certain online publications described as defamatory.
The suit (No. FCT/HC/CV/3921/2025), filed on October 8, 2025, followed Chikamnayo’s alleged failure to issue a public apology or retract the said posts.
Governor Otti, through his counsel, is seeking a declaration that the publications in question caused damage to his reputation and personal standing. The court documents referenced several Facebook posts made between July and September 2025.
The governor is claiming N100 billion in general damages and an order directing the defendant to publish an apology on his social media page and in select national newspapers, including ThisDay, The Nation, The Punch, and National Ambassador.
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Chikamnayo from publishing any material considered defamatory against him, as well as N250 million as the cost of prosecuting the suit.
Justice Obanor ordered that the defendant must enter an appearance within 30 days of being served or risk judgment being entered in default.
In the earlier correspondence attached to the suit, Ajala described the posts as false and injurious, while highlighting Otti’s career background and public record.
