The legal battle between the 2027 National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his former ally, Kenneth Okonkwo, has entered a new phase.
Obi on Thursday, formally filed a defamation suit and secured a court summons requiring Okonkwo to appear before the court within 42 days.
According to verified court documents, the suit was filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division, following allegations made by Okonkwo during a television interview on June 8, 2026.
Why Peter Obi Is Suing Kenneth Okonkwo
The dispute stems from claims allegedly made by Okonkwo on a live television programme, where he accused Obi and leaders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) of collecting ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and manipulating the party’s candidate selection process.
Obi has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false, malicious, and defamatory. His legal team argues that the statements seriously damaged his reputation and public image.
Court Summons Gives Okonkwo 42 Days
While Obi initially issued a pre-action demand seeking ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology, the matter has now proceeded to court.
The writ of summons reportedly gives Kenneth Okonkwo 43 days from the date of service to enter an appearance before the court or risk the case proceeding in his absence, in accordance with civil procedure rules.
Obi Seeks ₦8 Billion in Court
Court filings indicate that Obi is now asking the court to award about ₦8 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
He is also seeking:
A public apology from Kenneth Okonkwo.
A retraction of the alleged defamatory statements.
A perpetual injunction preventing Okonkwo from repeating similar allegations in the future.
Kenneth Okonkwo’s Reaction
Okonkwo has previously dismissed Obi’s legal threats, insisting he would respond through the appropriate legal channels. He also maintained that he was prepared to defend his comments in court.
What This Means
The lawsuit marks another dramatic chapter in the collapse of the once-close political relationship between Peter Obi and Kenneth Okonkwo, who worked together during the 2023 presidential campaign.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications for political accountability, defamation law, and public discourse in Nigeria.
For now, attention will shift to the courtroom as Nigerians await Kenneth Okonkwo’s response within the court’s stipulated timeframe.
This report is based on verified court filings and publicly available legal documents.
The allegations remain the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings, and all parties are entitled to a fair hearing in court.
