Peter Obi demands N5bn, apology from Okonkwo over defamation allegation

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has initiated legal proceedings against actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding N5 billion in damages and a public apology for alleged defamatory statements. Obi's legal team, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), sent a letter on June 9, 2026, accusing Okonkwo of making false and malicious claims during a Channels Television interview on June 8.

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Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.

The allegations, which were reportedly circulated by various media outlets, include claims that Obi solicited bribes from party aspirants and was involved in criminal activities. Okonkwo allegedly stated that Obi and other Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) leaders in the South-East required aspirants to pay a N10 million bribe to party and caucus leaders, in addition to the expression of interest fee. The lawyers also claim Okonkwo asserted there was documentary evidence of these payments and that Obi personally compiled candidate lists from a hotel room, warning aspirants they would be "scammed."

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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.

Obi's lawyers described the statements as "false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact." They argue these remarks go beyond political commentary, constituting a direct attack on Obi's integrity and public reputation. The legal team demands Okonkwo retract the statements, issue an "unequivocal and unreserved" apology with prominent placement, and pay N5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages within seven days.

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The false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.