Prof. Victor Nnam, a former Commissioner for Lands in Enugu State, is at the centre of a legal storm after being slammed with a N1 billion defamation suit by former Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ikechukwu Mellitus Ezeugwu, over what is described as a calculated smear campaign intended to destroy his reputation.
The suit, filed at the Enugu High Court, stems from a May 19, 2025 Daily Post article in which Nnam allegedly portrayed the respected lawmaker as “a sycophant, an unserious person, and a fake personality”, remarks that came barely a day after Ezeugwu resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on principle, citing deceit, betrayal, and a collapse of merit within the party.
Ezeugwu, who represented Udenu Constituency for 12 consecutive years, insists that Nnam, who was not even a PDP member, had no moral or political authority to comment on his personal political choice. He described the allegations of political treachery, arrogance, and improper land allocations as false, foul, and malicious, aimed purely at tarnishing his image.
The impact, he said, went far beyond politics. His multi-million-naira raw cashew nut processing factory in Udenu, which had drawn serious interest from German investors, suffered a severe setback after the defamatory publication prompted the investors to suspend their planned visit, causing huge financial and reputational losses.
Ezeugwu is asking the court to declare the statements defamatory, order a public apology in national newspapers, and award him N1 billion in punitive damages alongside legal costs.
Public opinion has largely swung in his favour, with many condemning Nnam’s comments as “reckless, vindictive, and shameful,” and praising the former Assembly Leader for refusing to let a clear case of political character assassination go unchallenged.
The case is set for hearing in the coming weeks, and supporters say it is not just about damages, it is about reclaiming dignity and setting a precedent against reckless defamation.