Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, and former governor of Anambra State, has sued his former loyalist, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations of bribery and fraud.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, signed by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, of Alex Ejesieme & Co., Madiba Chambers, Obi’s legal team described Okonkwo’s claims as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory”.
Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor-turned-lawyer, had alleged during a broadcast that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded N10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants.
He also claimed Obi compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room and travels abroad to collect money from people.
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning… falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands, solicits, organizes, and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds, and swindles political aspirants,” the letter said.
Obi’s lawyers rejected all allegations and demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements and publish an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” with equal prominence to the original broadcast on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
The legal team also demanded a written undertaking to stop further defamatory remarks and “a financial compensation package”.
“The said allegations were made with the clear intent… of lowering our client in the estimation of right-thinking members of society, exposing him to hatred, contempt, and ridicule,” the letter added.
The dispute comes days after Okonkwo dumped the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and declared support for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.
Okonkwo is yet to respond publicly to the legal notice as of press time.
