The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has filed an ₦8 billion defamation lawsuit against his former spokesperson and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations made during a television interview.
The suit, lodged at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court, follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum previously issued to Okonkwo, demanding a public retraction, apology and compensation over the claims.
The legal dispute arose from comments made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television on June 8, where he alleged that Obi collected ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and personally selected candidates for federal constituencies across the South-East.
Following the interview, Obi, through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a pre-action notice dated June 9, demanding an immediate retraction of the allegations, a public apology and ₦5 billion in damages.
However, Okonkwo, in a response dated June 16 and signed by his lawyer, V.I. Uma, rejected the demands and maintained that he stood by his statements.
Court documents show that the writ of summons, dated June 25, has been endorsed for service on Okonkwo at his Enugu residence.
Obi described the television interview and subsequent social media publications by Okonkwo as “false, malicious, baseless and defamatory,” arguing that they caused significant damage to his reputation and political standing.
In the suit, the former Anambra State governor is seeking ₦5 billion in general damages for alleged injury to his reputation, integrity, goodwill and political image.
He is also asking the court to award ₦2 billion in aggravated damages, alleging that Okonkwo continued to repeat and circulate the claims even after receiving the pre-action notice.
Additionally, Obi is seeking ₦1 billion in exemplary damages, claiming the allegations were deliberately amplified to tarnish his public image.
Beyond monetary compensation, Obi wants the court to compel Okonkwo to publish a full, unreserved and unequivocal apology within seven days of judgment on Channels Television, the station’s YouTube platform, all his social media accounts and in three national newspapers.
The lawsuit further requests an order directing Okonkwo to remove all alleged defamatory publications from his social media platforms and websites under his control.
Obi is equally seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo, his agents or associates from making or disseminating similar statements in the future, alongside the cost of the suit and a 10 per cent annual post-judgment interest on any monetary award granted by the court.
The legal battle marks a dramatic fallout between two former political allies. Okonkwo served as Obi’s spokesperson during the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign before both politicians later aligned with the ADC ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections. Obi subsequently defected to the NDC, where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, while Okonkwo became one of his outspoken critics.
A key issue in the dispute centres on Okonkwo’s claim that House of Representatives aspirant Obunike Ohaegbu informed him that Obi demanded ₦10 million from aspirants before handpicking candidates.
However, Ohaegbu has publicly denied making such allegations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 9, Ohaegbu stated, “Peter Obi never told me to pay ₦10 million. I never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi, in any way, told me to pay ₦10 million.”
He also dismissed claims that he accused the NDC South-East caucus of bribery or alleged that Obi personally compiled candidates’ names at a hotel in Abuja.