The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has formally filed an ₦8 billion defamation lawsuit against his former spokesperson and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations he says damaged his reputation.
The suit, filed at the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, follows remarks made by Okonkwo during a television interview in which he alleged that Obi and the NDC South-East leadership collected ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and manipulated the party’s candidate selection process. Obi has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as false, malicious, and defamatory.
According to the court documents, Obi is seeking:
- ₦5 billion in general damages for injury to his reputation and public image.
- ₦2 billion in aggravated damages, citing the repeated publication of the allegations even after a legal demand for retraction.
- ₦1 billion in exemplary damages, arguing that Okonkwo deliberately continued to amplify the claims.
Obi is also asking the court to compel Okonkwo to issue a full public apology and retraction on Channels Television, its YouTube platform, his social media accounts, and in three national newspapers. He further wants the alleged defamatory posts removed and is seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent any future publication of similar claims.
The legal dispute stems from a June television appearance in which Okonkwo accused Obi of fraud and extortion involving NDC aspirants. However, one of the aspirants cited by Okonkwo, Obunike Ohaegbu, later publicly denied accusing Obi of collecting ₦10 million or personally orchestrating the alleged scheme.
Okonkwo had earlier rejected Obi’s pre-action demand for an apology and compensation, insisting that he stood by his statements, setting the stage for the lawsuit now before the court.
