. . . Says publication scared off foreign investors in multi-million-naira cashew project

A former Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Mellitus Ezeugwu, has dragged a former Commissioner for Lands in the state, Prof. Victor Nnam, before an Enugu High Court, demanding N1 billion in damages over an alleged libellous publication which he claims tarnished his reputation and crippled an international business deal.

In his statement of claim, Ezeugwu, who represented Udenu Constituency for three consecutive terms between 2011 and 2023, alleged that Nnam published ?false, foul and injurious statements? about him on May 19, 2025, through the Daily Post online media and other platforms, in reaction to his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former lawmaker, a businessman and philanthropist, stated that the defendant was not an official of the PDP and had no authority to comment on his political decision. According to him, Nnam?s publication?widely circulated across online media and WhatsApp groups?portrayed him as ?a sycophant, an unserious person, and a fake personality? who should not be trusted.

The suit alleges that the comments questioned his legislative record, accused him of arrogance, political treachery, and benefiting unduly from the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, including the alleged allocation of prime landed property.

Ezeugwu insists the allegations are false and malicious, and that Nnam knew about his ongoing multi-million-naira raw cashew nut processing factory in Udenu LGA, which had attracted serious interest from German investors. He claims the defamatory remarks prompted the investors to suspend their planned trip to Nigeria, causing him huge financial and reputational losses.

The plaintiff, who is also the founder of the Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, said the damage to his image was so severe that political associates in his new party began to question his credibility. Efforts by mutual acquaintances to get Nnam to retract the statement and apologise reportedly failed.

Consequently, Ezeugwu is asking the court to declare the publication libellous, restrain the defendant from further making derogatory statements against him, and order an unconditional public apology in national print media.

He is also seeking N5 million as special damages for legal costs, N1 billion as punitive damages for loss of business opportunities, and 10% monthly interest on any judgment sum until fully paid.

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