Former Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia, Lilian Onoh, has requested permanent residency in Texas, citing a report by SaharaReporters accusing her of corruption. According to an affidavit submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on November 1, 2024, Onoh seeks asylum for diplomats at risk to remain in the U.S. permanently.
Onoh argues that the April 2023 SaharaReporters article titled “Nigerian Civil Service Commission Sacks Former High Commissioner to Namibia, Lilian Onoh, Over N50million Misappropriation, Recommends Trial by ICPC,” has significantly impacted her life, leading her to avoid social gatherings and even stop participating in her church choir out of fear of background checks. In her affidavit, she states that due to the article, she now intends to reside permanently in Texas. The civil action, case no. 3:23-cv-02838-B, names Sahara Reporters Media Group, Inc., Sahara Reporters, Inc., and Omoyele Sowore as defendants, and seeks damages for defamation and emotional distress.
Onoh claims that the article has cost her over 90% of her friends and colleagues, forced her to use a pseudonym in public to avoid unwanted attention, and has affected her ability to sleep. She alleges that due to the report, she can no longer work in the diplomatic field and has lost her reputation in Nigeria. The affidavit includes Onoh’s rebuttal to the defendants’ motion to dismiss, arguing that her citizenship does not invalidate the diversity jurisdiction required for the case.
The affidavit also reveals that Onoh filed for an Employment Authorization document, allowing her to stay in the U.S. through 2028, and that she recently submitted the final paperwork for her Green Card. Additionally, Onoh disputes the allegations in the SaharaReporters article, claiming she was never found guilty of any financial misconduct.
However, SaharaReporters counters these claims by citing records from the Nigerian Civil Service Commission, which allegedly detail her suspension and eventual dismissal due to financial misappropriation, absenteeism, and refusal to follow lawful instructions. Letters from the Commission indicate that Onoh was asked to refund certain funds and was ultimately dismissed, with recommendations for further investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).