Peter Obi Gets Court Approval to Serve Kenneth Okonkwo in ₦8bn Defamation Suit
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has secured a major legal victory after a High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, granted him permission to serve court documents on his former spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, through substituted means in an ₦8 billion defamation lawsuit.
Justice D.A. Onyefulu gave the order on June 30 after Obi’s legal team informed the court that repeated efforts to personally serve Okonkwo with the lawsuit had failed.
According to the court order, Obi is now permitted to serve the writ of summons and other legal documents by pasting them at Okonkwo’s last known address at NPR 48 Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State, near Ijeoma Fishing Company, or by handing the documents to any responsible adult found at the residence.
The judge also directed that photographs of the service be taken and filed before the court as proof of compliance. The service must be completed within seven days.
How the Dispute Started
Peter Obi and Kenneth Okonkwo were once close political allies during their time in the Labour Party, where Okonkwo served as Obi’s spokesperson during the 2023 presidential election.
Both politicians later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections. However, Obi eventually defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
Their relationship deteriorated after Obi’s departure from the ADC, with Okonkwo becoming one of his strongest critics.
Allegations That Sparked the Lawsuit
During an interview on Channels Television, Kenneth Okonkwo alleged that Peter Obi and the NDC South-East caucus demanded ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants seeking the party’s ticket.
He claimed an aspirant from Anambra State, Obunike Ohaegbu, sent him evidence suggesting he paid the money but was later asked to participate in party primaries instead of receiving an automatic ticket.
Okonkwo further alleged that Obi personally prepared and submitted the list of party candidates from a hotel in Abuja, accusing the NDC of manipulating its nomination process.
Aspirant Denies the Claims
The controversy took another turn when Obunike Ohaegbu publicly denied making the allegations attributed to him.
Speaking during a television interview, Ohaegbu insisted Peter Obi never demanded ₦10 million from him and denied accusing the NDC South-East leadership of collecting bribes or manipulating candidate selection.
He also maintained that both he and Obi were victims of false claims being circulated.
Obi Heads to Court
Following the broadcast, Obi issued a pre-action notice demanding that Kenneth Okonkwo withdraw the allegations, publish a public apology, and pay ₦5 billion in damages.
Okonkwo refused, insisting he stood by his statements through his legal representatives.
As a result, Obi proceeded to file an ₦8 billion defamation suit, asking the court to order Okonkwo to pay damages, retract the statements, and remove the alleged defamatory publications from all his social media platforms.
The latest court ruling allowing substituted service marks the next stage in what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s closely watched political legal battles as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
Court grants Peter Obi leave to serve Kenneth Okonkwo by substituted means
