The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, also threatened legal action against Okonkwo if the demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), 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 legal team, the remarks were subsequently published and circulated by various media organisations and online platforms, thereby amplifying their reach and impact.
The lawyers alleged that Okonkwo claimed Obi, alongside leaders of the NDC in the South-East, instructed aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets to pay an additional ₦10 million bribe after paying the official expression of interest fee.
The letter further stated that Okonkwo alleged the existence of documentary evidence to support the claim, accused Obi of personally compiling the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, and claimed he collected money from Nigerians abroad and engaged in criminal activities alongside other party leaders.
According to Obi’s legal team, the statements portrayed their client as a participant in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial misconduct, and criminal conspiracy.
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and is actively perpetuating criminality,” the letter stated.
The lawyers described the allegations as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any facts,” arguing that they amounted to a direct attack on Obi’s integrity, character, and public reputation.
Consequently, they demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements within seven days, publish an unequivocal and unreserved apology with the same or greater prominence as the original publication, and provide a written undertaking to refrain from making further defamatory statements against Obi.
In addition, Obi is demanding ₦5 billion as general, aggravated, and exemplary damages for the alleged harm caused to his reputation and public standing.
The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands would leave their client with no option but to institute legal proceedings seeking damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, and legal costs.
“Take notice that should you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, our client shall be left with no option but to seek legal redress against you without further recourse,” the letter added.
Responding in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Okonkwo dismissed the demand and said he had yet to review the letter.
“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his lawyers that I should pay him ₦5bn. Hahaha! If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him,” he wrote.
Okonkwo said he would issue a formal response after reading the letter.
“I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers,” he stated.
The former spokesperson also suggested that any legal proceedings could lead to the disclosure of information he obtained while serving in that role.
“Anyone who decides to sue his former spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he added.
