Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), 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, former governor of Anambra State, also warned that he would take further legal action if his demands are not met, including seeking additional damages.
This was contained in a letter dated June 9, 2026, issued by his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Alex Ejesieme, which accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious and defamatory claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, June 8.
The lawyers said the comments were later circulated across various media platforms and social media, giving them wider reach.
According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East instructed aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets to pay an additional ₦10 million bribe after paying official fees. He was also said to have alleged that there was documentary proof of the payments.
Okonkwo further alleged that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, collected money from individuals abroad, and engaged in other criminal activities alongside party leaders.
The legal team said the statements portrayed Obi as being involved in bribery, extortion, fraud and criminal conduct.
“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.
Obi’s lawyers described the allegations as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact,” insisting they went beyond political commentary and amounted to an attack on his integrity and reputation.
They demanded that Okonkwo, within seven days, retract the statements, publish an unreserved apology in the same manner and platforms where the allegations were made, and pay ₦5 billion as damages for reputational injury.
The letter also required a written undertaking that Okonkwo would cease and desist from making further defamatory remarks against Obi.
It warned that failure to comply would leave Obi with no option but to initiate legal proceedings, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction and costs.
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