The legal dispute between Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his former ally Kenneth Okonkwo has escalated, with Obi filing a N5 billion defamation suit against the actor-turned-politician.
The suit, filed on Thursday at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court, stems from comments Okonkwo made during a Channels Television programme in which he accused Obi of defrauding and extorting N10 million from NDC House of Representatives aspirants and manipulating party primary results.
In the originating summons, Obi is seeking N5 billion in damages for alleged reputational harm, alongside a public apology and retraction of the claims he describes as false and damaging.
The former governor of Anambra State had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to Okonkwo, demanding a withdrawal of the allegations, a public apology, and payment of compensation, warning of legal action if he failed to comply.
However, in a response through a letter dated June 16 and signed by his lawyer V.I. Uma, Okonkwo maintained his position, insisting that his comments were based on information from aggrieved NDC aspirants who alleged fraud and extortion within the party’s South-East caucus led by Obi.
He further argued that his remarks were made in the public interest and stood by his allegations despite the threat of legal action.
