Former Acting VC Threatens Legal Action Over Alleged Defamation

Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin, the former acting vice-chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has threatened legal action against an online media outlet over what he describes as sustained defamatory attacks on his character.

In a letter from the law firm A.O.O. Ekpu and Co., Prof. Adagbonyin stated that the platform has repeatedly published false and damaging content about him. While he chose to overlook such reports during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as acting vice-chancellor, viewing it as “part of the burden of leadership,” he expressed concern that the attacks have continued unabated since he stepped down in September 2024.

The firm highlighted an article published on October 11, 2024, titled *“Disgraced Former AAU AVC, Prof Adagbonyin Employed Ifeanyi Essu HOD Nursing Science with Honorary PhD Certificate”*, which included a photo of Prof. Adagbonyin to remove any ambiguity about the subject of the publication.

Prof. Adagbonyin refuted the claims, stating that he was never removed from office under disgrace or accused of any misconduct. “I was never accused, tried, or found guilty of any wrongdoing, formally or informally, nor was I issued a sack letter by the Council or the appointing government,” he said. He explained that his exit was part of a planned transition, confirmed by the Chairman of the Governing Council.

The law firm accused the platform of spreading unverified claims, which included allegations of financial impropriety and favoritism in staff appointments. “Our client maintains that the publication is materially false,” the firm stated, clarifying that the appointment of Ifeanyi Essu as Acting Head of the Department of Nursing Science was legitimate and not based on an honorary degree, as such degrees are not recognized by the university.

The firm asserted that the publication portrayed Prof. Adagbonyin as “dishonest, incompetent, hypocritical, and fraudulent,” causing significant harm to his reputation. The lawyers demanded that the platform publish an apology acceptable to their client and pay N50 million in damages within 14 days to avoid legal proceedings.