Peter Obi Sues Kenneth Okonkwo for Defamation Claims

Peter Obi, a member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, has initiated legal proceedings against lawyer and politician Kenneth Okonkwo in the Anambra High Court. The lawsuit, filed on June 25, 2026, follows allegations made by Okonkwo during a live broadcast on June 8, 2026, where he claimed that Obi, as a party leader, accepted ₦10 million from a house representative seeking a party ticket.

Obi's legal team, led by Chief Alex Ejesiem, issued a seven-day ultimatum on June 9, 2026, demanding a retraction and apology from Okonkwo, which he refused. The lawsuit seeks ₦5 billion in general damages for injury to Obi's reputation, ₦2 billion in aggravated damages, and ₦1 billion in exemplary damages due to repeated claims on social media.

Additionally, Obi is requesting a perpetual injunction to prevent Okonkwo from making further defamatory statements and demands a full, unequivocal apology to be published across various media platforms.