Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to suspended Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, has filed a N2 billion defamation suit against former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, for accusing him of orchestrating the fire that engulfed the state’s House of Assembly in October 2023. Ehie also named a television station that aired the interview in his suit.
In a statement released by his legal team, Ehie claims that Nwaeke’s accusation, made in a televised interview on March 29th, is false and has severely damaged his reputation.
Ehie seeks an order for immediate retraction of the statement, a public apology from both Nwaeke and the television station, and a restraining order prohibiting further dissemination of the alleged false information. He is also demanding N2 billion in general damages for the harm caused.
The suit was filed at a Rivers State court, where Judge Jumbo Stephens ordered Nwaeke to be served the legal documents through substituted means, including posting them at his Port Harcourt residence and publishing them in a national newspaper.
The fire incident in October 2023, which occurred amidst a political feud between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, fueled tensions and led to the impeachment attempt against Fubara by lawmakers loyal to Wike. This political crisis ultimately culminated in President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18th, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly for six months.
Nwaeke’s allegation, linking Ehie to the fire incident, gained significant attention, particularly given President Tinubu’s justification for the state of emergency citing the burning of the assembly building. Nwaeke alleged that he witnessed Ehie receiving a bag of money from Fubara, presumably for the fire operation, while at the government house.
This legal battle is expected to further intensify the political turmoil in Rivers State, as it unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing state of emergency and the suspension of the state’s political leadership.
