BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
.
Dr. Basil Kenechukwu Ogbuanu, a prominent Lagos-based businessman and property developer, has instituted a legal action against Barrister Patricia Nwobodo, wife of former old Anambra State Governor, Chief Jim Nwobodo.
.
The lawsuit, filed at the Enugu State High Court, is seeking a N10 billion in exemplary damages over allegations of malicious falsehood and illegal police orchestration.
.
The legal battle stems from a January 16, 2026, incident where Mrs. Nwobodo reported Dr. Ogbuanu to the Enugu State Police Command.
.
Following her report, the Commissioner of Police filed a four-count charge against Ogbuanu and three others, including Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, Arinze Onoja, and Sedro Theodore, alleging conspiracy and the unlawful deprivation of Mrs. Nwobodo’s liberty.
.
Specifically, the police had charged the men with unlawfully confining and detaining Mrs. Nwobodo against her will for two hours at Patin-Son Estate in Independence Layout, Enugu.
.
These charges were brought under Sections 496(a) and 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
.
However, the Plaintiff, Dr. Ogbuanu, contends that the allegations were entirely fabricated and designed to humiliate him.
.
He claims the police proceeded with the charges without conducting a mandatory or thorough investigation into the veracity of Mrs. Nwobodo’s claims.
.
The previous criminal case, docketed as Charge No. MES/22C/2026, reportedly collapsed in court. On April 15, 2026, His Worship D.K. Ekoh Esq. of the Enugu Magistrate Court struck out the matter, awarding N1,000,000 in costs against the prosecution and barring the police from re-arresting the businessman.
.
Vindicated by the Magistrate’s ruling, Dr. Ogbuanu has now turned the tables, seeking a formal declaration from the High Court that Mrs. Nwobodo is responsible for the “humiliation, intimidation, and molestation” he suffered while in police custody and among other detainees.
.
The writ of summons, dated May 4, 2026, commands Mrs. Nwobodo to enter an appearance within 42 days of service. Failure to comply, the court warned, could result in a judgment being delivered in her absence.
.
A central piece of the Plaintiff’s claim is the demand for N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) in exemplary damages. This sum is intended to compensate for the emotional and reputational damage caused by setting the machinery of the Nigerian Police Force against him based on allegedly false information.
.
Furthermore, the businessman is seeking an order of perpetual injunction to restrain Mrs. Nwobodo or her agents from further making “false and malicious allegations” against him to the police or any other enforcement agency.
.
Dr. Ogbuanu, who hails from Enugu but manages his business interests from Magodo Phase 2 in Lagos, is being represented by a high-powered legal team. The team includes Chukwudi Obieze, SAN, Onyechi Araka, and O.I. Obieze of the firm Obieze, Balonwu & Partners..
.
No date has been fixed for hearing as the
high court is expected to fix a date for the mention of the case following the expiration of the 42-day window for the defendant’s appearance.
