The conflict between the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has escalated as the youth body served a formal Notice of Intention to Sue. This legal document follows a previous press statement and sets a 72-hour deadline for Dabiri-Erewa to comply with their demands or face a ₦500 billion lawsuit.

 

The Legal Document and Allegations

The formal notice, dated September 5, 2025, and signed by OYC National President Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, outlines the specific legal claims against Dabiri-Erewa. The OYC alleges that her repost and endorsement of a social media comment that referred to Igbos as “monkeys, children of gorillas, and bastards” constitutes:

* Ethnic Hate Speech: The notice cites violations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Cybercrime Act.

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* Defamation: The OYC asserts that the remarks are defamatory to the entire Igbo nation, a people with a long-standing heritage and global presence.

* Promotion of Genocidal Narratives: The council warns that such statements are capable of inciting hatred, violence, and discrimination against over 50 million Igbos worldwide.

 

Demands and Consequences

The notice reiterates the OYC’s non-negotiable demands, giving Dabiri-Erewa a final opportunity to avert legal action. Within the 72-hour timeframe, she is required to:

• Publish a full, unequivocal public apology to the Igbo nation in at least five national newspapers and on her official social media accounts.

• Formally retract the offensive repost with equal publicity as the original act.

• Provide a written undertaking to abstain from any future derogatory or hateful remarks against the Igbo people.

The OYC makes it clear that failure to meet these demands will result in a lawsuit seeking ₦500 billion in damages for defamation, psychological injury, humiliation, and endangering national peace and security.

 

A Historic Legal Battle Looms

The notice further emphasizes the OYC’s readiness for a prolonged legal fight, stating that it has secured the pro-bono services of 37 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). The council’s leadership has put these legal luminaries “on standby to prosecute this matter to its logical conclusion, both in Nigeria and at international human rights tribunals if necessary.”

 

This move transforms the social media controversy into a significant legal and political event, potentially setting a major judicial precedent against ethnic bigotry and hate speech in Nigeria. The OYC has also sent copies of the notice to key national and international human rights organizations, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR), Amnesty International Nigeria, and Human Rights Watch, signaling its intent to draw global attention to the case.