PETER OBI DEMANDS N5BN COMPENSATION, PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM OKONKWO
Read Time:1 Minute, 28 Second
By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television interview.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s legal team, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making false and malicious allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8. The lawyers said the statements were subsequently amplified across various media and online platforms.
According to the letter, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East demanded N10 million bribes from House of Representatives aspirants in addition to official nomination fees. He also reportedly claimed to possess documentary evidence of the payments and accused Obi of personally compiling candidate lists, deceiving aspirants, collecting funds from Nigerians abroad, and engaging in criminal activities.
Obi’s lawyers described the allegations as false, reckless and defamatory, arguing that they portrayed their client as corrupt, dishonest and involved in criminal conduct. They demanded that Okonkwo retract the statements, publish an unequivocal apology with equal or greater prominence, pay N5 billion in damages, and provide a written undertaking to refrain from making similar claims in the future.
The legal team warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in court action seeking damages, injunctive relief, public retraction and legal costs.
Reacting on his X account, Okonkwo dismissed the demand, saying he had not yet reviewed the letter. He mocked the N5 billion claim and insisted he would respond after reading the document. Okonkwo also maintained that he was prepared for any legal battle, suggesting that court proceedings could expose information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.
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