Former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a legal demand seeking ₦5 billion in damages from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over remarks he described as defamatory.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making a series of damaging allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.
According to the legal notice, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East required aspirants for House of Representatives seats to pay an additional ₦10 million after settling the official expression of interest fee. He was also said to have claimed that receipts and other documents existed as proof of the alleged payments.
The letter further stated that Okonkwo accused Obi of personally compiling the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warned political aspirants that Obi would defraud them, alleged that the former governor travelled abroad to receive money from certain individuals, and claimed that Obi and some South-East NDC leaders were involved in criminal activities.
Obi’s legal team dismissed the allegations as entirely false, malicious and unsupported by evidence, insisting that the statements were aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“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 argued that the comments amounted to more than political criticism, describing them as a direct attack on Obi’s integrity, public image and character.
“Your words were not mere political commentary. They crossed the permissible bounds of fair comment and constituted a direct assault on our Client’s person, integrity, image and reputation,” the letter added.
As part of his demands, Obi is seeking an immediate withdrawal of the statements, a public apology to be issued within seven days, and publication of the apology on the same television and social media platforms where the allegations were circulated.
He is also demanding ₦5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, alongside a written undertaking from Okonkwo that no further defamatory remarks will be made against him.
The letter warned that failure to meet the demands within the specified period would leave Obi with no choice but to commence legal proceedings, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and recovery of legal costs.
