Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has threatened a massive N5 billion defamation lawsuit against a prominent actor turned politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, over alleged libelous and defamatory statements.
​The legal threat was revealed in a demand letter authored by Obi’s legal counsel, acting on his express instructions. The dispute stems from comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s flagship morning programme, “Sunrise Daily”, on June 8, 2026.
​According to the document, Okonkwo allegedly made false claims during the live broadcast, which were subsequently republished across online media and video-sharing platforms like YouTube regarding the NDC’s internal primary processes.
​Specifically, the letter states that Okonkwo accused Obi, alongside NDC leaders in the South-East, of informing House of Representatives aspirants that they must pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) to the party and caucus leaders after paying their prescribed expression of interest fees.
​Obi’s legal team vehemently denied the allegations, maintaining that while freedom of expression protects political speech, it does not cover the “reckless destruction of another person’s reputation” or statements that falsely impute criminality, fraud, and moral depravity.
​The solicitors have issued a seven (7) day ultimatum to Kenneth Okonkwo to comply with a strict list of demands, failing which they will seek formal legal redress in a court of law.
​The demands include Immediate Withdrawal; Retracting the allegedly false and defamatory statements in their entirety. A public apology, publishing a clear, unequivocal, and unreserved public apology directly to Mr. Peter Obi.
He will amplify the retraction and apology with the same or greater visibility across Channels Television and Okonkwo’s personal social media handles (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube).
He will Pay the sum of Five Billion Naira (N5,000,000.000.00) in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages for the grave injury caused to Obi’s reputation.
A Cease-and-Desist; Delivering a written undertaking promising to desist from making or circulating any further defamatory statements against the former governor.
​The legal warning concluded with a stern ultimatum, indicating that if Okonkwo fails or neglects to comply within the stipulated one-week window, Obi’s chambers will initiate full legal proceedings.
​”TAKE NOTICE that should you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, our Client shall be left with no option than to seek legal redress against you without further recourse to you.”
​The legal team noted that the impending lawsuit would seek the N5 billion in damages, or potentially higher sums as the Court deems fit, alongside permanent injunctive reliefs and public retractions.
​As of the time of filing this report, Kenneth Okonkwo has yet to issue an official response to the legal notice.
