admin
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has threatened a lawsuit against Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over alleged defamatory comments.
In a pre-notice letter, Obi, a former Anambra governor, asked Okonkwo to publish an unreserved apology letter over the comments the ADC chieftain made during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
The letter was signed by Alex Ejesieme, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
THE INTERVIEW
During ‘Sunrise Daily’, an interview programme on Channels Television, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and the south-east caucus of the NDC demanded bribes from house of representatives and senate hopefuls of the party in return for tickets.
The ADC chieftain alleged that Obunike Ohaegbu, NDC aspirant for house of representatives ticket in Anambra, sent in a message alleging Obi scammed him of N10 million for the ticket.
On Tuesday, Ohaegbu appeared on the same television programme to deny allegations that Obi collected N10 million as bribe from him.
The house of representatives aspirant said he paid N10 million to the NDC bank account based on the information he received from the party’s national secretary and not to Obi.
THE PRE-NOTICE LETTER
The former Anambra governor said Okonkwo’s comments were “extremely grave, damaging and reckless imputations of bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty and criminality” directed at his reputation.
Obi said the comments are “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact”.
“They were made with the clear intent and purpose of lowering our Client in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, exposing him to hatred, contempt and ridicule, and injuring his hard-earned reputation as a man of unquestionable integrity, a statesman and political leader,” part of the letter reads.
“It is particularly disturbing that the said statements were made by you on live television and were thereafter republished, broadcast and widely circulated through online and social media platforms, including video-sharing platforms, where such falsehoods spread rapidly and assume a life of their own. Your words were not mere political commentary.”
The presidential candidate asked Okonkwo to withdraw the “false and defamatory statements” and publish an unreserved apology on Channels Television, X, and other social media platforms.
Obi also asked the ADC chieftain to pay the sum of N5 billion “as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the grave injury occasioned to his hard-earned reputation”.
The presidential candidate said he will seek legal redress if Okonkwo fails to comply with the demands within the stipulated time.
During the 2023 elections, Obi, who was then presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Okonkwo were allies.
In the buildup to the 2023 election, Okonkwo left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for LP.
He was later appointed as one of the spokespersons of the LP presidential campaign council.
OKONKWO DOUBLES DOWN
In a riposte to Obi’s lawsuit threat, Okonkwo doubled down on his allegations.
Advertisement
“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!,” the Nollywood actor wrote on X.
“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. I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns.
“I have not read the letter. 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.
“My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise.
“I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. 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. According to Obunike Ohaegbu, ‘I am Obunike Ohaegbu, aspirant for Nnewi North/Nnewi South Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and I am saying that I was scammed and the party blames PO.”
