Okonkwo Dares Obi To Court Over Defamation Claim
A reported N5 billion defamation suit threat by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi against his former campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has drawn a firm response from the actor turned politician, who has labelled the move unwise and challenged Obi to proceed with court action.
Okonkwo, who served as spokesperson during Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, issued the reaction in a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday following reports that Obi had threatened legal action over alleged defamatory comments and demanded N5 billion in damages.
He said he had been informed of a letter from Obi and his lawyers but had not yet read it.
In the statement, Okonkwo wrote: “It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha! If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him.”
He revealed that he personally covered costs during the campaign period, including flight tickets and hotel accommodation for some events.
Okonkwo issued a warning that Obi’s lawyers must take responsibility for any information he might disclose if the matter advances, noting details he acquired as spokesperson but had not previously shared out of conscience.
“Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone,” he stated.
He described suing a former spokesperson for defamation as unwise.
“Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” Okonkwo said.
He added that he would issue a formal response after reviewing the letter and urged Obi and his legal team to take the case to court.
“It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his Lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers,” he said.
The exchange represents a further development in the strained relations between the two men, who worked closely as political allies during the 2023 presidential election but have since publicly disagreed on several issues.