The Niger Data Mobilisation Team and indigenes of the Nkpa community in Abia State have given the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and his former campaign Director-General, Trump Eke, 72 hours to withdraw a defamation suit against public interest advocate, Darlington Agoha, over his criticism of the execution of the N1.3 billion Nkpa Road project.

The ultimatum was issued, on Monday, at the High Court premises in Umuahia, where the group, led by Dixon Uwakwe, accused the plaintiffs of attempting to intimidate a citizen for demanding accountability over a Federal Government-funded infrastructure project.

The controversy centres on the Nkpa Road project, reportedly funded with N1.3 billion from the Federal Government’s Ecological Fund, which the community alleged remained partly uncompleted despite the substantial allocation, while some completed sections had already deteriorated.

Uwakwe said the community’s intervention went beyond the legal dispute involving Agoha, insisting that residents deserved explanations about the execution of the project, the quality of work delivered, and the utilisation of public funds.

“Mr. Darlington Agoha’s only crime was daring to demand basic accountability and transparency from the leadership of our constituency,” the group said in a statement.

The community alleged that Agoha had faced legal pressure for about two years after raising questions about the road project, describing the defamation action as an attempt to discourage citizens from scrutinising government-funded infrastructure.

It maintained that residents had a legitimate interest in knowing why sections of the road allegedly remained incomplete and why portions already constructed had deteriorated.

Counsel to Agoha, Vincent Nwabueze, also criticised the lawsuit, alleging that it was intended to intimidate citizens who questioned the execution of public projects.

Nwabueze claimed that the contractor had been fully paid despite the alleged failure to complete the road, adding that its condition continued to impose hardship on residents. However, Eke defended the legal action, maintaining that the plaintiffs were entitled to seek judicial redress over statements they considered defamatory.

The matters that we feel are defamatory are before the court. It is left to the court to decide whether or not he has defamed me and the person of the Deputy Speaker.”

Eke acknowledged Agoha’s right to protest against what he considered poor infrastructure delivery, but argued that the exercise of that right did not prevent persons who believed their reputations had been damaged from approaching the court.

Reacting to the 72-hour ultimatum, he said the community was free to express its grievances but insisted that the judiciary would determine the merits of the case.

“They have a right to issue an ultimatum. It is part of our democratic culture. You will always have your say. The court will have its way,” Eke said.

The community, however, insisted that the suit should be withdrawn and that the questions surrounding the execution of the Nkpa Road project should be addressed transparently.

The allegations over the project’s funding, execution, and alleged defects remain disputed, while the defamation suit is pending before the court. (The Sun)