Abia Govt Denies Alleged ‘World Court’ Lawsuit Against FG, Describes Report as Fake and Malicious

The Abia State Government has dismissed as false, malicious, and deliberately misleading reports claiming that Governor Alex Chioma Otti has sued the Federal Government of Nigeria at a so-called “World Court” over the approval of a cargo airport in Aba.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government described the report as a complete fabrication with no basis in fact, insisting that neither the governor nor the state government has instituted any lawsuit against the Federal Government at any international court.

According to the statement, matters relating to aviation infrastructure approvals are clearly governed by Nigeria’s existing national regulatory and administrative frameworks, stressing that Abia State has neither contemplated nor initiated any form of international litigation on such issues.

The government also condemned claims that Governor Otti accused the Federal Government of marginalisation, genocide, or the killing and denial of rights of Igbo people in Lagos, describing them as “wicked lies” designed to inflame ethnic sentiments and create unnecessary tension.

“These allegations are reckless in intent and expose the desperation and irresponsibility of the authors of this propaganda,” the statement said, adding that the narrative was deliberately concocted to mislead the public and tarnish the governor’s image.

Reaffirming Governor Otti’s commitment to national unity and constitutional governance, the government said the governor believes in lawful engagement, constructive federal collaboration, and due process, rather than sensationalism or ethnic blackmail.

The statement further alleged that the report bears the hallmarks of a coordinated smear campaign by opposition elements and disgruntled political actors unsettled by the administration’s reform-driven and people-focused governance in the state.

The Abia State Government has urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety and advised media practitioners to verify information from credible and official sources before publication. It also warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate action against individuals or platforms that deliberately spread falsehoods capable of undermining public peace and confidence in government.

Governor Otti, the statement concluded, remains focused on rebuilding Abia State through due process, strategic engagement with relevant federal authorities, and the pursuit of sustainable development initiatives for the benefit of Ndi Abia and Nigeria as a whole.