By Tony John, Port Harcourt
Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has filed a N2 billion defamation suit against former State Head of Service George Nwaeke.
The suit stems from Nwaeke’s claim that Ehie orchestrated the fire that razed the Rivers State House of Assembly in October 2023.
Ehie also named the television station that broadcast the interview as a defendant. His legal team stated that Nwaeke’s accusation, aired on 29 March 2025, was false and has gravely harmed Ehie’s reputation.
He seeks a court order for an immediate retraction, a public apology from Nwaeke and the station, and a restraining order against further spreading the alleged falsehood. Ehie is also claiming N2 billion in general damages for the damage caused.
The suit, lodged at a Rivers State court, prompted Justice Jumbo Stephens to order substituted service of legal documents on Nwaeke. These are to be posted at his Port Harcourt residence and published in a national newspaper.
The October 2023 fire erupted amid a political clash between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, escalating tensions and sparking an impeachment bid against Fubara by Wike-loyal lawmakers. This crisis led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on 18 March 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all state assembly members for six months.
Nwaeke’s claim gained traction, especially as Tinubu cited the assembly fire as a reason for the emergency rule. He alleged witnessing Ehie receive a bag of money from Fubara at the Government House, purportedly for the arson.