By Lizzy Chirkpi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr. Peter Obi, has instituted an ₦8 billion defamation suit against his former ally and actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.
The suit seeks substantial damages, public retractions, the removal of allegedly defamatory publications, and a perpetual injunction restraining further dissemination of similar claims.
Court documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that Obi, the plaintiff in the matter, accused Okonkwo of making false and damaging allegations capable of injuring his reputation.
The action, commenced through a Writ of Summons, named Okonkwo as the sole defendant and directs him to enter an appearance within 42 days of being served with the court processes.
According to the writ, the defendant is, “hereby commanded that within 42 (forty-two) days after the service of this Writ on you… you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.”
In addition to the ₦8 billion damages claim, Obi is seeking several orders compelling Okonkwo to publicly retract the alleged defamatory statements and issue apologies across all social media platforms under his control.
One of the reliefs sought requests, “An order directing that every retraction and apology published on a social-media account of the Defendant shall remain prominently displayed and, where the platform permits, pinned to the top of the account for so long as the account remains active.”
The plaintiff is also asking the court to compel the defendant to remove all publications containing the disputed statements from platforms under his ownership or control.
Specifically, the writ seeks, “An order directing the Defendant to delete and remove from every social-media account, page, channel, website and digital platform under his ownership or control each interview, post, repost, video, caption, comment or publication containing the defamatory words complained of in this action.”
Furthermore, Obi is requesting a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo, his agents, or associates from making or circulating similar allegations in the future.
The suit specifically seeks, “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant… from further publishing, broadcasting, posting, reposting, distributing or circulating the words complained of or any substantially similar allegation imputing bribery, fraud, scam, theft, extortion, criminality or membership or leadership of a criminal gang to the Plaintiff.”
Obi is also asking the court to award the costs of the suit and grant post-judgment interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum on any monetary award until full payment is made.
The legal action was filed by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, of Alex Ejesieme, SAN & Co., counsel to Obi.
Court documents dated June 25, 2026, and bearing the official stamp of the High Court of Justice, Onitsha, indicate that the suit was formally filed on Thursday.