ADC Spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo Says He Has Not Received Court Papers in Peter Obi’s ₦8bn Defamation Suit

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he has not been served with any court documents in the ₦8 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Okonkwo explained that he only learned about the case from social media, noting that he would inform the public once he receives official papers.

When asked about reports that the court had allowed Obi’s lawyers to serve him through substituted means after failed personal attempts, Okonkwo questioned the legitimacy of the request, stating that such an application must be backed by proof that personal service had been unsuccessful.

He added that although he responded to a pre‑action notice sent to his phone, he has yet to receive any originating court processes, emphasizing that the notice was first posted on social media before being sent to him.

Okonkwo dismissed the lawsuit as a joke, describing it as an effort to silence, intimidate, and harass him, and affirmed that he would not withdraw his earlier remarks about Obi.

He maintained that his statements were based on information and documents provided by an aspirant, insisting he possesses evidence to support his claims.

Following the interview, Obi’s legal team issued a pre‑action notice demanding a retraction, public apology, and damages, labeling the allegations false, malicious, and defamatory.

Okonkwo rejected the demands, arguing that his comments constitute fair comment on a matter of public interest and reiterating his refusal to retract them.

The dispute intensified after the aspirant cited by Okonkwo, Obunike Ohaegbu, publicly denied accusing Obi of demanding ₦10 million or making the other claims attributed to him.

Ohaegbu stated that neither Obi nor the NDC South‑East caucus ever sought a bribe from him, prompting Obi to file the ₦8 billion defamation suit seeking damages, a public retraction, and a perpetual injunction to stop Okonkwo from repeating the allegations.