Former Nigerian Ambassador files libel suit against ex-foreign Minister Onyeama in U.S. court

Onoh Lilian, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia, has initiated a libel suit at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama. The case also includes Mr. Gabriel Aduda, a Permanent Secretary at the ministry.

The court documents allege that Onyeama and Aduda utilized a New York-based online newspaper to tarnish Onoh’s character. According to the suit, the online publication, in April, released an article claiming the Nigerian Government dismissed Onoh due to the misappropriation of N50 million, accompanied by her photograph for clarity.

In the legal filing, Onoh’s counsel, Steven Thornton, expressed concern about the portrayal of his client as corrupt and accused of diverting funds meant for Nigeria’s High Commission in Namibia. The online newspaper further asserted that Aduda and Onyeama were part of an investigative committee that indicted Onoh for fraud.

In response, Onoh, in memos to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, accused Onyeama of condoning corrupt practices in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The court papers deny the allegations in the online story, asserting that Onoh was never terminated from any posting with the Nigerian Government for misappropriation of funds. The claimant’s lawyer argued that Onyeama did not form a seven-person committee to investigate Onoh, and Aduda did not head such a committee.

The prayers before the judge include litigation costs “and all such other and further relief at law and in equity to which Onoh may show herself to be justly entitled.” The case is now under the adjudication of Judge Jane Boyle, with no set date for the hearing.