Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has announced plans to sue the former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, for libel.
The lawsuit stems from Nwaeke’s allegations that Ehie and the governor orchestrated the attack on the House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ehie firmly rejected the claims, stating, “I will not join issues completely with George Nwaeke because I had already instructed my lawyer to file issues of criminal libel against him and I hope he is very prepared to come and substantiate his claim and his allegations if it were.”
Nwaeke had previously claimed that he witnessed a bag of money being handed to Ehie by the governor with the intention of burning down the Assembly Complex. Ehie vehemently denied the accusation, emphasizing that like many others, he was shocked by the event when it happened on October 30, 2023.
In further comments, Ehie questioned Nwaeke’s mental state, stating, “It is unfortunate that George Nwaeke, to satisfy his hunger or emergency reaches at his age having served for over 35 years, can be bullied into making such allegations.” He added that Nwaeke’s credibility was undermined following an emotional interview with his wife, who raised concerns about his wellbeing.
Regarding Nwaeke’s political involvement, Ehie stated that Nwaeke was never part of any political discussions with the governor or himself, saying, “Nwaeke had no political or intimate relationship with us…He is not a politician…He does not even partake in critical local government political discussions.”
Ehie’s firm response and plans for legal action highlight the growing tension between political figures in Rivers State.