Peter Obi has issued a seven-day ultimatum to actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding the withdrawal of what he described as false, malicious, and defamatory statements allegedly made against him.
Through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, Obi is also seeking a public apology and N5 billion in damages for the alleged harm caused to his reputation.
The demand was contained in a letter titled, “Demand for Immediate Withdrawal of False, Malicious and Defamatory Publications Against Mr. Peter Obi, Public Apology and Undertaking,” issued on behalf of the former governor of Anambra State.
According to the letter, Obi’s legal team objected to comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during a live appearance on the television programme Sunrise Daily on June 8, 2026.
The remarks were subsequently circulated across traditional media outlets and social media platforms.
The letter alleged that Okonkwo accused Obi and leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East of demanding an additional N10 million payment from House of Representatives aspirants beyond the party’s official nomination fees.
Obi’s legal representatives further claimed that Okonkwo alleged that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would defraud them, accused him of collecting money from individuals abroad, and linked him and other party leaders to criminal activities.
The legal team described the allegations as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless and defamatory,” arguing that the statements portrayed Obi as a fraudster, extortionist, and participant in criminal conduct.“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and actively perpetuating criminality,” the letter stated.
Obi’s lawyers maintained that the allegations were unsupported by evidence and were deliberately designed to damage his reputation and public image.
They also argued that while freedom of expression is protected under the law, such protection does not extend to statements that falsely accuse another person of criminality, fraud, or dishonesty.
Consequently, Obi demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements in full within seven days of receiving the letter, issue an unreserved public apology, and publish the retraction through the same channels used to disseminate the allegations, including television broadcasts and social media platforms.
The former presidential candidate further requested that the apology be given equal or greater prominence than the original publication and that Okonkwo provide a written undertaking not to make similar statements in the future.
In addition to the retraction and apology, Obi is seeking N5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.The legal correspondence warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would result in legal action, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, and recovery of litigation costs.
“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,” the letter stated.
