Peter Obi Seeks N5 Billion from Kenneth Okonkwo Over Alleged Defamatory TV Claims

Former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has formally demanded ₦5 billion in damages from actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo over allegedly defamatory statements made during a television interview.

In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making “false, malicious and defamatory” claims against his client on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026.

The letter stated that Okonkwo claimed Obi and South-East NDC leaders demanded an additional ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants after they had paid the official expression of interest fee and suggested there was documentary evidence supporting this allegation.

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Okonkwo allegedly also claimed that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, warned aspirants that he would scam them, travelled abroad to collect money, and that he and South-East NDC leaders were involved in criminal activities.

Obi’s legal team described the statements as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.”

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The lawyers stated that the remarks falsely portrayed Obi as a person who solicits and collects bribes, defrauds political aspirants, engages in scams, and participates in criminal conspiracies.

They argued that the comments went beyond legitimate political criticism and had damaged Obi’s reputation and public standing.

Obi is demanding that Okonkwo withdraw the statements within seven days, issue a public apology, and publish the apology on the same platforms, including television and social media.

He is also seeking ₦5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with a written undertaking to refrain from making further defamatory statements.

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The legal notice warned that failure to comply would compel Obi to seek legal redress, including court action for damages, injunctive relief, public retraction, apology, and legal costs.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Okonkwo has responded, claiming he possesses receipts showing NDC officials collected ₦10 million from candidates.

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