There are strong indications that the matter of alleged defamation brought up by the member representing Ukwa East/ Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chris Nkwonta against his former aide, Comrade Ugwumba Adiele may be heading for the courts as lawyers for Adiele have declared that the requests for apology, retraction and damages made by Nkwonta’s lawyers have been rejected.
It should be recalled that lawyers representing Nkwonta in a letter to Adiele dated January 26, 2026 entitled, “Formal Pre-action Demand, Retraction, Unreserved Apology and Payment of Damages Arising from Your Defamatory Publications Concerning Hon. Nkwonta” accused Adiele of making defamatory publications against their client. Adiele had through publications in some prominent Whatsapp groups in Abia State, raised certain questions concerning the Ukwa Skill Acquisition Centre, a project reportedly attracted by Hon. Chris Nkwonta from the Federal Government to the Ukwa Federal Constituency.
According to the lawyers to Adiele, honest questions do not conduce to defamation, and the questions their client, Adiele, merely asked only required answers and not an attempt to intimidate him.
“We are of the view that our client’s legitimate questions did not defame anybody”, Adiele’s Lawyers said, and therefore concluded, “He (Comrade Ugwumba Adiele) remains ready to defend your proposed action if your client tows that path as against a peaceful resolution of the issues in controversy.”
