Chief Engineer Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke, a prominent political figure from Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, has demanded a public retraction and unreserved apology over alleged defamatory statements circulated about him on the Ukwa Consultative Assembly WhatsApp platform.
The demand was contained in a letter dated November 13, 2026, issued by his solicitors, H. A. Bello, SAN & Co., and addressed to an individual identified on WhatsApp as Asa Grace Citizen/My Worldbest.
According to the legal notice, the alleged defamatory statements were published on November 10, 2026, in the Ukwa Consultative Assembly WhatsApp group, which reportedly has about 1,012 members.
The solicitors alleged that the publication contained several damaging accusations against their client, including claims of theft, blackmail, involvement in electoral violence, and other alleged misconduct.
The letter also quoted statements questioning Nwoke’s suitability to represent Ukwa at the National Assembly, with allegations concerning his previous employment, relationship with security operatives and political activities.
However, Nwoke’s solicitors described the allegations as false, malicious and unsubstantiated, arguing that they were calculated to damage his reputation, integrity and political standing.
The legal representatives further expressed concern over the alleged failure of the WhatsApp group administrators to caution against the publication or establish the identity of the individual behind the account.
They also questioned what they described as possible collaboration between the group administrators and the individual responsible for the posts, an allegation contained in the demand letter.
The solicitors maintained that the publications had exposed their client to public ridicule, hostility and reputational damage, adding that the situation had caused fear and anxiety for him and his family.
Consequently, they gave the individual seven days from the service of the letter to retract the alleged defamatory statements through the same WhatsApp group, publish a retraction in one national and one local newspaper, and issue an unreserved written apology to Nwoke.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands would compel their client to institute legal proceedings to protect and restore his reputation.
It further indicated that Nwoke was considering criminal proceedings over alleged criminal defamation, cyberbullying and the transmission of false information.
The demand letter was signed by S.K. Deemua, Esq., on behalf of H. A. Bello, SAN & Co.
