Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦8 Billion Damages over alleged defamatory claims made during a TV interview and social media posts.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has taken legal action against his former spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo.

The lawsuit seeks ₦8 billion in damages over alleged defamatory comments made during a television interview and later repeated on social media.

The suit was filed at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court after a seven-day ultimatum expired without a settlement.

Obi had earlier asked Okonkwo to withdraw the statements, apologise publicly, and pay compensation. Okonkwo refused.

Why Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦8 Billion Damages

The dispute began after Okonkwo appeared on Channels Television on June 8.

During the interview, he alleged that Peter Obi collected ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants.

He also claimed Obi personally selected candidates for federal constituencies across the South-East.

Obi strongly denied the allegations.

His lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a pre-action notice on June 9. The notice demanded a public apology, a retraction, and ₦5 billion in compensation.

However, Okonkwo responded through his lawyer, V.I. Uma, on June 16.

He rejected the demands and insisted that he stood by his claims.

Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦8 Billion Damages Over Reputation

According to court documents, the writ of summons was dated June 25.

The documents have been endorsed for service on Okonkwo in Enugu State.

Obi described the television interview and the social media posts as false, malicious, baseless, and defamatory.

He argued that the statements damaged his reputation, integrity, political standing, and goodwill.

Damages Peter Obi Is Asking the Court to Award

Peter Obi is seeking a total of ₦8 billion in damages.

He wants:

• ₦5 billion as general damages for harm to his reputation.
• ₦2 billion as aggravated damages for the continued publication of the allegations.
• ₦1 billion as exemplary damages for what he called the deliberate spread of false claims.

Obi is also asking the court to order Kenneth Okonkwo to publish a full and unreserved apology.

The apology should appear on Channels Television, its YouTube channel, all of Okonkwo’s social media pages, and three national newspapers.

In addition, Obi wants the court to order the removal of all alleged defamatory posts from Okonkwo’s social media accounts and websites.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to stop Okonkwo from making similar allegations in the future.

The suit includes the cost of litigation and 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on any money awarded.

Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦8 Billion Damages After Political Fallout

Peter Obi and Kenneth Okonkwo were once close political allies.

Okonkwo served as Obi’s spokesperson during the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party.

Both politicians later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi later moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

Since then, Okonkwo has become one of Obi’s strongest critics.

House of Reps Aspirant Denies Kenneth Okonkwo’s Allegation

A major part of the case involves Obunike Ohaegbu, a House of Representatives aspirant.

Okonkwo claimed Ohaegbu told him that Peter Obi demanded ₦10 million from aspirants.

Ohaegbu has publicly denied making that statement.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 9, he said:

“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.”

Ohaegbu also denied accusing the NDC South-East caucus of bribery.

He further denied saying Obi compiled candidates’ names at a hotel in Abuja.

Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦8 Billion Damages as Legal Battle Begins

The lawsuit marks another twist in the relationship between the former political allies.

The court will now decide whether Kenneth Okonkwo’s statements were defamatory.

It will also determine whether Peter Obi is entitled to the ₦8 billion in damages he is seeking.