A high-stakes legal battle has erupted in the Enugu State High Court as Dr. Basil Kenechukwu Ogbuanu, a prominent medical practitioner and investor, filed a staggering ₦10 billion lawsuit against wife the former governor of old Anambra State, Barr. Patricia Mgbeyere Nwobodo.
The suit follows the collapse of a criminal charge earlier brought against the doctor, which he claims was a product of malice and falsehood.
The legal firestorm traces back to January 16, 2026, when Barrister Nwobodo allegedly filed a report with the Nigerian Police accusing Dr. Ogbuanu of conspiracy and other undisclosed offenses.
Following this report, police operatives stormed an Independence Layout site, detaining several of Dr. Ogbuanu’s workers, before arresting the doctor himself at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport on January 17.
On January 20, 2026, Dr. Ogbuanu and three of his artisans workers –
Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, 46; Arinze Onoja, 26; Sedro Theodore, 28;
were formally arraigned before a Magistrate Court in a four-count charge Charge No. MES/22C/2026, bordering on conspiracy, deprivation of liberty, and assault.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants were alleged to have conspired on January 16, 2026, at Patin-Son Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu, to unlawfully confine and detain Mrs. Nwobodo and a police officer, Constable Ugwu Emmanuel, against their will.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants assaulted Constable Ugwu by beating him all over his body.
But the Plaintiff alleges this was a calculated attempt to humiliate him and disrupt his professional activities.
However, the criminal case faltered almost immediately:
March 3, 2026, the prosecution failed to produce witnesses, leading to multiple adjournments.
However, during the proceedings on April 15, 2026, the police prosecutor, B.C. Nnadozie, admitted that he had not seen the complainants since the matter started.
Nnadozie informed the court that he could not “manufacture oath” or serve witness statements on the defense as he had no contact with the nominal complainants.
Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, noting that his clients, who are busy artisans and a Lagos resident, had suffered by traveling to Enugu for a case the complainants were not interested in pursuing.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Ekoh lambasted the conduct of the complainants, describing it as a clear indication of their lack of desire to prosecute the matter.
He said, “A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in his luxury home without prosecuting his complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against.”
The court subsequently struck out the charge and ordered that the defendants must not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint.
The Magistrate ordered Barr. Nwobodo to pay ₦1,000,000 in costs to the Plaintiff and issued a protective order barring the doctor’s re-arrest on the same allegations.
Refusing to let the matter rest, Dr. Ogbuanu initiated a civil action (Suit No. E/434 /2026) on May 4, 2026, seeking redress for what he describes as “malicious and abandoned” prosecution.
The Plaintiff’s statement of claim paints a picture of significant emotional and reputational damage.
In the suit he is seeking among others “an exemplary damages amounting to ₦10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) to compensate for the “molestation” and public embarrassment suffered during the airport arrest and detention.
“A Declaration of the court that the Defendant was responsible for his unlawful humiliation.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining Barr. Nwobodo from making further “false allegations” against him to law enforcement agencies.”
Allegations of Fabrication
Court documents reveal that the friction stems from a complex real estate transaction in Independence Layout. Dr. Ogbuanu contends that the criminal report was a diversionary tactic used by the Defendant to avoid contractual obligations regarding property title documents.
The Plaintiff intends to use medical reports describing “acute stress reactions” and previous court records to prove the criminal charges were a fabrication designed to exert undue pressure on him.
