Peter Obi Demands N5bn Damages, Public Apology from Kenneth Okonkwo Over Alleged Defamation
By Rita Onuoha
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview.
Obi, through his legal representatives led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Alex Ejesieme, also requested a public apology and threatened legal action if the demands are not met within seven days.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, the legal team accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious, and defamatory allegations during an appearance on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily programme on June 8. According to the lawyers, the comments were subsequently published and widely circulated across various media and online platforms.
The letter specifically referenced claims allegedly made by Okonkwo that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East required House of Representatives aspirants to pay an additional N10 million bribe after purchasing the party's expression of interest forms.
Obi's legal team further alleged that Okonkwo claimed to possess documentary evidence of the payments and accused the former Anambra State governor of personally compiling the party's list of candidates from a hotel room. The television remarks also allegedly described Obi as someone who collected money from supporters abroad and engaged in fraudulent activities alongside other party leaders.
According to the lawyers, the statements portray Obi as an individual involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial misconduct, and criminal conspiracy, thereby causing significant damage to his reputation and public standing.
"The statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands and collects bribes, extorts and defrauds political aspirants, and engages in criminal conduct," the legal team stated, insisting that the allegations are entirely false, baseless, reckless, and unsupported by any credible evidence.
The lawyers maintained that the remarks exceeded the bounds of legitimate political commentary and amounted to a direct attack on Obi's integrity and character.
Consequently, they demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements, publish an unequivocal and unreserved apology with equal or greater prominence than the original publication, pay N5 billion in damages, and provide a written undertaking to refrain from making or circulating further defamatory statements concerning Obi.
The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would leave Obi with no option but to institute legal proceedings seeking damages, injunctive relief, public retraction, and recovery of legal costs.
Reacting in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Kenneth Okonkwo dismissed the demand and indicated that he had not yet reviewed the letter.
He described Obi's action as politically motivated and remarked that if the former governor required campaign funds, he could request assistance privately rather than pursue what he characterized as an attempt at extortion.
Okonkwo stated that he would issue a formal response after reading the letter, adding that he expected the matter to proceed to court if Obi and his legal team were serious about their claims.
The former spokesperson further suggested that any legal proceedings could provide an opportunity to disclose information he obtained while serving in that capacity, maintaining that suing a former spokesperson for defamation would be an unwise decision.
As of the time of filing this report, no lawsuit had been formally instituted, and both parties remain publicly committed to defending their respective positions.
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