Former AAU Acting Vice-Chancellor Seeks N50 Million in Damages from Trojan News Over Alleged Defamation

Our reporter

Professor Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin, the former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, is demanding a public apology and N50 million in damages from Trojan News, an online media outlet.

The demand comes after what Adagbonyin describes as "persistent defamatory publications" aimed at tarnishing his reputation during and after his tenure.

 

In a statement issued through his legal representatives, A.O.O. Ekpu & Co., Adagbonyin and made available to Uptown Press, disclosed that he initially chose to overlook the "malicious publications" from Trojan News while serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor, considering it a burden of his leadership role.

However, since stepping down in September 2024, he claims the attacks have continued, with the latest publication on October 11, 2024, titled “Disgraced Former AAU AVC, Prof Adagbonyin Employed Ifeanyi Essu HOD Nursing Science with Honorary Ph.D Certificate.”

 

Professor Adagbonyin argues that the article falsely labels him as “disgraced,” asserts he employed staff unethically, and accuses him of fraudulent activities. He refutes these claims, emphasizing that his departure was part of a planned transition without any official accusations of misconduct.

He states, "I was never disgraced out of office; I was never accused of any wrongdoing, either formally or informally, nor was I issued a sack letter from the office I occupied as AVC either by the Council or the government itself that appointed me."

 

The October 25, 2024 letter from A.O.O. Ekpu & Co. accuses Trojan News of a calculated effort to undermine Adagbonyin's character by publishing misleading information. The letter highlights the allegation that Adagbonyin "illegally recruited Mr. Essu and made him a senior lecturer the same day," a claim which his lawyers label as entirely false.

They clarify that Essu’s appointment was based on university protocol, asserting, “The University does not recognize honorary degrees for any purpose whatsoever, and Mr. Essu’s appointment did not require a Ph.D. for the Head of Department role.”

 

The letter demands that Trojan News retract its publication, issue a public apology, and pay N50 million in damages for harm caused to Adagbonyin’s reputation. Trojan News has 14 days from receipt of the notice to comply, failing which legal action will be pursued.