Otti Demands N5bn From Blogger Over ‘Satanic’ Report He Acquired 2 Abia Hotels

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has asked a blogger, Sir Don Ubani to retract, apologise and pay him N5bn in damages over what his lawyers described as a “satanic and defamatory” publication linking him to the acquisition of two hotels in Umuahia, the state capital.

Otti’s lawyers at Deeplaw Associates made the demand in a letter addressed to Ubani on October 2, 2024, seen by THE WHISTLER on Friday.

In the article published via equityreporters.ng on September 26, 2024, titled “Governor Alexander Otti Of Abia State Should Be Clapped For,” Ubani wrote that the governor had acquired Comfort Hotel and Luxurious Maget Hotel in Umuahia.

Otti’s lawyers said the publication on Ubani’s Facebook wall and blog accused their client of “wanton land grabbing” in Umuehim and Umuguru villages within the Ehi Na Uguru Autonomous Community, Nvosi in Isialangwa South Local Governor Area.

“In this instance, the Governor has, through his proxies, bought two near moribund Hotels in Umuahia. Comfort Hotel is currently undergoing very remarkable renovation. The luxurious Maget Hotel is now a pride possession of the Governor.

“Here, therefore, reminds readers of the saying about Leadership. A Leader is not the one that does the greatest. But with what Governor Otti has done at Umuehim, Umuguru and the two Hotels at Umuahia, one doubts if Governor Alexander Otti has not done the greatest.,” the article partly read.

However, Otti’s lawyers denied the allegations, saying “Governor Otti has nothing to do with Comfort Hotel and ‘luxurious Maget Hotel’ in Umuahia, Abia State that you falsely alleged in your online publication are now ‘pride possession of the Governor.’”

The lawyers said the publication was meant to “destroy and rubbish” the governor’s image among various stakeholders, including the banking sector, his constituents, Labour Party leadership and the general public.

The governor is asking for a written apology to be published on Ubani’s Facebook wall and blog and a retraction of the report to be published in Thisday, Punch, The Nation and National Ambassador newspapers.

Otti gave Ubani 7 days to comply or face the law.