…”I gladly accept to meet him in court” – Icheku
The Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr Anthony Nwaubani has dragged the Executive Editor of Dailyledger.com.ng, Tony Icheku, and two others before the High Court of Abia State, Ikwuano Division, over alleged false and defamatory publication in a news report titled; IIkwuano LG Boss, Nwaubani Snobs Inquiries on Financial Impropriety, Poor Leadership Allegations”.
But, in a reaction to the suit number HC/Il/2026 which was served him on Saturday, March 14, 2026, Mr Tony Icheku, who authored the story, said that the online news portal stands by its story.
Icheku noted that the suit is a welcome development, stressing that the online news portal has categorically confirmed that N19 million was siphoned from the coffers of Ikwuano LGA under the watch of Mr Nwaubani as the Chairman.
According to Icheku; “We are praying that the court as a temple of truth, shall in the constitutional requirement of transparency and accountability, help us all unveil the fine details how this humongous amount was embezzled”.
A statement of claims by Dominic Nwachukwu, legal counsel to Nwaubani dated March 12, 2026, is demanding N2 billion as claims for general damages and defamation; another N1 billion for exemplary damages and N120 million for litigation costs, totalling N3.10 billion.
Nwaubani is also praying the court to grant him a perpetual injunction restraining Icheku from further publishing defamatory statements against him, in addition to a retraction of the story titled; “Ikwuano LG Boss, Nwaubani Snobs Inquiries on Financial Impropriety, Poor Leadership Allegations” and a public apology.
He also alleged that the words used in in the story titled “Ikwuano LG Boss, Nwaubani Snobs Inquiries on Financial Impropriety, Poor Leadership Allegations”,’ were false and defamatory.
But, Icheku in a statement while reacting to the development said that he would be happy to meet Nwaubani in court, emphasising that the people of Ikwuano would witness the beginning of transparency and accountability in the management of their resources.
According to Icheku; “As a citizen of Nigeria from Ikwuano, and journalist, all I have asked for is for Mr Anthony Nwaubani to be accountable to the people, but if he prefers that the Court offers him a cozy atmosphere to do so, I gladly accept to meet him in court”.
