Edison Ehie Sues Former Civil Service Head for Defamation Over Allegations of Arson
Edison Ehie, the chief of staff to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has launched a N2 billion defamation lawsuit against George Nwaeke, the former head of civil service. The suit, which also names Channels Television as a defendant, stems from allegations made by Nwaeke during a televised interview on March 29.
Nwaeke accused Ehie of being responsible for a fire that ravaged the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in October 2023. In response to these claims, Ehie contends that the statements made by Nwaeke have severely tarnished his reputation and character, branding them as “false” and defamatory.
Court documents reveal that Ehie is seeking an immediate retraction of the allegations, alongside a public apology from both defendants. He demands that this apology be disseminated not only through Channels Television but also through another television network and two leading newspapers across Nigeria.
Furthermore, Ehie is requesting that the court issue an order prohibiting Nwaeke and Channels Television from disseminating any further malicious information about him. In light of the severity of the claims, he has called for N2 billion in general damages.
In a preliminary ruling on Monday, Judge Jumbo Stephens of the high court in Port Harcourt ordered that Nwaeke be served with the court documents via substituted means. This includes posting the documents at Nwaeke’s residence in Port Harcourt and publishing the notice in a national newspaper.
The controversy traces back to a significant incident in October 2023 when a fire broke out at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex amid escalating tensions between factions within the state legislature. The blaze occurred as lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike were reportedly preparing to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, leading to a deepening political crisis in the state.
In response to the turmoil, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state assembly for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator to oversee the state during this period.
