Ugwuonye Finally Takes To Court To Address Horde Of Lies Against Him

We have followed the story of Emeka Ugwuonye since the past 9 years that this media organization has been in existence. 

In declaring that most of the stories told by Nigerian bloggers and media about Emeka Ugwuonye are outright lies, we take a directly opposite stance against those who spread these lies against this controversial figure. 

The first question that comes to mind is: What is it about this man that inspires a complex mixture of feelings toward him, particularly the lies? 

He is bold and daring. He is brilliant, no doubt. Those who know him very well will tell you that he is a nice friendly person. 

But those who found themselves on the opposite side may tell you he is ruthless and fierce. All may be true. 

In whichever way Ugwuonye has moved lately, he has been hunted by enemies who have used one weapon against him all the time. 

That weapon is based on his disagreement with the Embassy of Nigeria, which was his law firm’s client in Washington for many years. 

Recently, Ugwuonye decided to initiate a chain of lawsuits in order to “have the courts restate the bounds of decency in social discuss in the era of the new media”. 

Elombah.com gathered secretly that one of the recipients of his venom is Linda Ikeji of Lindaikejiblogs.

This may be interesting when one looks at it deeply. In his own words, Ugwuonye puts in a clear philosophical parlance, thus:

“We all grew up to understand the essence of legal control over injurious falsehood that is false statements aimed at harming orders. 

“That was all that defamation lawsuit was about. From the history of case law, newspapers and media houses were the main targets of defamation lawsuit. 

“Everything about that aspect of the law was designed around the powerful media which had the capacity to destroy a person’s reputation by falsehood. 

“However, in the modern time, so much has changed. The speed with which false stories could spread is lightening. 

“Also, the main defamers are no longer the powerful media houses, but little individuals who have no addresses where they could be served court processes and no money with which to pay damages if defeated in court.” 

Continuing, he said: “We have seen this development so frequent in Nigeria. 

“While people are happy for the power that the new media has given to the ordinary people, many are now worried about abuses of such power. 

“We see that discomfort everywhere. Many countries are passing new laws seeking to hold the little people accountable for misuse of the new media power. 

“I believe that in addition or in the alternative to the efforts aimed at imposing certain legislative controls, the judiciary has a role in creating order in the midst of this chaos. 

“For me, Emeka Ugwuonye, I want to see some role by the judiciary in redefining the bounds. That is why I will be heading to court in what will be a chain of litigations”. 

Asked who would be the target of his intended litigation, Ugwuonye responded, “Quite a number of people. It is a big mix”.

Elombah.com decided to identify 3 major lies told about Emeka Ugwuonye. They are as follows:

(1) THE STORY ABOUT EMEKA UGWUONYE BEING DISBARRED

As of November 14, 2017, date of this publication, Emeka Ugwuonye has never been disbarred in any jurisdiction, contrary to the stories told. 

In fact, the worst-case scenario so far was that the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee, in a very strange ruling, directed that Emeka’s name be removed from the list of lawyers in Nigeria. 

But Emeka stopped that so far by appealing against the committee. He immediately filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. 

The effect of that appeal was that it stopped the decision of the Committee from taking any effect. It is only the Supreme Court of Nigeria that can now determine the status of Emeka. 

So, Emeka Ugwuonye’s right to practice law in Nigeria remains intact. 

As for the appeal, Emeka is super confident. He said the decision of the committee was a travesty.

So, the story that Ugwuonye’s name has been struck out off the rolls is patently false and mischievous.

(2) THE STORY ABOUT EMEKA UGWUONYE STOLE 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS OF THE NIGERIAN EMBASSY FUNDS

The story that any court in America determined that Emeka Ugwuonye stole 1.5 million dollars of the Nigerian Embassy funds is also patently false. 

In fact, in 2009, the Washington DC Bar determined that Emeka Ugwuonye did not do anything wrong in respect of the 1.5 million dollars. 

It as a civil suit filed by the Embassy against Emeka Ugwuonye and which was pursued while Emeka was detained in Nigerian by the government over the same dispute that ended in a default judgment. 

But it is a civil judgment and not about stealing money. Indeed, the case never made the allegation that Emeka Ugwuonye committed any crime. 

It was a civil case that ended on default judgment. 

Unknown to many Nigerians, Emeka Ugwuonye also obtained a judgment against Nigerian Government for unlawful detention. 

(3) The case of defamation Ugwuonye filed against Sahara Reporters

The case of defamation Ugwuonye filed against Sahara Reporters was dismissed eventually on the ground that Emeka Ugwuonye was a public figure, and not on the ground that the story was true per se. 

Indeed, under the American legal system, it is not enough for the plaintiff to prove that the story was false. 

Where the plaintiff is a public figure, he must go forward to show there was actual malice, which is an evidential standard higher than ordinary malice, as would have been the case in the UK. 

Ugwuonye believed that particular case was dismissed because of interventions by the EFCC through unlawful detention in Nigeria, for which he eventually won a judgment against the Government. 

Also, it is important to know why Emeka Ugwuonye sued Sahara Reporters then. He sued because Sahara Reporters claimed that Emeka Ugwuonye colluded with the Embassy officials to embezzle funds. 

Surprisingly, Emeka sued Sahara Reporters for allegations it made against him and against the Embassy suggesting collusion, and not the opposite, which was the claim eventually made by the Embassy against Emeka Ugwuonye. 

Recently, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adeoye Remi attacked Ugwuonye, calling him a fraud and threatening him on social media which promptly attracted his attention.

“For falsely accusing me of crimes and for threatening my life,” Ugwuonye said, “I will sue him and I will be sending petitions to the IG and to the AU. Remi is retiring from the police. 

“I will make his retirement miserable because I will be suing him for defamation and for threat to life.”

READ ALSO: Confirmed! ASP Remi Adeoye Lied About Studying At NPS, California

Also recently, a writer, Mr Destiny Ugorji had stated that the husband of Charity Chacha Aiyedogbon, David had sued Barrister Ugwuonye for 10 billion Naira for allegedly defaming him.

According to Mr Ugorji, Ugwonuye failed to appear in court because he ran away to the United States.

He further insinuated that his “refusal to appear in Court on the next adjourned date (25th October, 2017) will be a confirmation that indeed, he is on exile.

In a swift reaction, however, the former attorney to the Nigerian government in the United States, cleared the air on the report.

He not only debunked the claim as false but stated categorically that no one sued him on defamation charges to that amount.

READ ALSO: Ugwuonye Debunks Rumour That He Ran Away From Nigeria Over N10b Suit

In fact, this medium can authoritatively tell that as this report is being processed, Barrister Emeka is in an Abuja court defending a case!

Several other stories against Emeka Ugwuonye are false. But most of them are insignificant and border on idle gossip.

Elombah.com is expected to know more about the lawsuits planned by Ugwuonye in the coming weeks.

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