Former Abia Official 'Joy Maduka' Files N100 Million Libel Suit Against Facebook Users

Lady Joy Maduka, the former Acting Head of Service of Abia State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, has filed a N100 million libel suit against two Facebook users, Nwokeukwu Mascot Nnamdi and Bethel Agbarafor. This legal action follows her recent retirement by Governor Alex Otti.

Maduka alleges that the defendants falsely accused her on Facebook of embezzling N20 million and diverting N13 million. She asserts that these defamatory statements are baseless and have caused significant harm to her reputation.

The suit, marked HU/23/2024, was filed on June 21, 2024, in the Abia State High Court in Umuahia. In her claim, Maduka describes the posts as "malicious and libelous," stating they have subjected her to "public scandal, odium, and ridicule."

Represented by Nwabueze Chukwueke of NCN & Partners Law firm, Maduka contends that the defamatory posts have severely tarnished her image among her peers, business associates, and family. She is demanding N100 million in damages and a court order for the defendants to publish an unreserved apology in two national newspapers.

The suit highlights specific accusations made by the defendants on their Facebook walls. One post allegedly claimed that Maduka embezzled N20 million intended for workers and looted N13 million from the Ministry of Environment's account shortly after her promotion to Permanent Secretary.

The allegations come shortly after the Head of Service, Mrs. Queen Obioma, directed Maduka to proceed on "compulsory retirement with immediate effect" on June 14, 2024. The directive was issued without any stated reasons but was noted to follow an order from the Governor.

This case underscores the growing legal challenges surrounding defamation on social media platforms and the potential consequences of spreading false information online.