The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholor, has demanded ₦25 billion in damages and a public apology from the factional Chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, over alleged defamatory statements.
Gatekeepers News reports that the demand was conveyed in a letter dated December 22, 2025, written by the governor’s legal representatives, RAY I.D. Okezie & Co., and addressed to Aziegbemi in Benin City.
According to the letter, the governor’s attention was drawn to a press release allegedly issued by Aziegbemi on January 7, 2025, and circulated by several national newspapers and online platforms.
The publication reportedly accused the Governor of lawlessness, violence, electoral illegitimacy, and the use of thugs and non-state actors in the affairs of the state.
The solicitors stated that the comments portrayed the governor as unintelligent, dishonest, violent, unlawful, fraudulent, and not duly elected, adding that the allegations were false and malicious.
They noted that the publication exposed the governor to public ridicule and damaged the reputation he had built over the years in public service.
The letter demanded ₦25 billion as compensation for the alleged reputational damage, to be paid within seven days.
It also required Aziegbemi to publish a full retraction and apology in three national newspapers, including The Guardian and Vanguard, within the same period.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply would prompt legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.
