Defamation row deepens as ex-Imo gov demands N5bn, apology from Kenneth Okonkwo

Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has demanded a public apology and N5 billion in damages from African Democratic Congress stalwart Kenneth Okonkwo over comments he described as defamatory.

The demand was conveyed in a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026, written by Udenwa’s counsel, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN).

According to the letter, Udenwa took exception to statements allegedly made by Okonkwo during a live television programme, accusing him of obtaining money from political aspirants through unlawful means, including coercion and violence.

The former governor maintained that the remarks, which were broadcast live and later circulated by several media outlets and online platforms, had seriously damaged his reputation.

READ ALSO:Why Obi will find it difficult to win South-East in 2027 -Kenneth Okonkwo

“Most regrettably, your defamatory statement against him, accusing him of illegally securing money from aspirants by compulsion and violence, or wrongly and illegally obtaining money from those aspirants by compulsion or violence, which statement you made during a live television programme broadcast both nationally and internationally, and which statement was subsequently published by numerous media houses and several online platforms, has greatly injured our client in his credit and reputation and portrayed him as a common criminal who abuses his position for personal monetary gains,” the letter stated.

During an appearance on Channels Television on June 8, 2026, Okonkwo allegedly accused Udenwa and other South-East political leaders of extorting aspirants seeking elective positions under the Nigerian Democratic Congress.

He said, “This is why the NDC released a statement that it is only the South East caucus of the party that was involved in such problems.

“Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of the South East caucus were busy extorting the South East aspirants”.

Okonkwo further claimed that an aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, had provided him with evidence of the alleged payments, including a receipt.

In response, Udenwa demanded that Okonkwo retract the statements and issue a public apology within seven days. The former governor requested that the apology be published in five national newspapers and aired during prime-time programming on Channels Television.

“We do hereby, on his instructions, give you seven days from the date of this letter to write a strongly worded letter of apology to him, published in five national dailies, as well as aired, prime time, on Channels Television, wherein you clearly, in unmistakable terms, retract your said publication against him, and give an undertaking never to defame him ever again,” the letter added.

Beyond the apology, Udenwa is seeking N5 billion as compensation for the alleged harm caused by the publication.

“We also demand the payment of the sum of N5 billion as compensation to him to assuage the injuries your said false publication has occasioned to him,” the letter stated.

The letter further warned that legal proceedings would be instituted if the demands were not complied with within the stipulated period.

“Take notice that if the above demands are not strictly met within the stipulated time frame, we have his instructions to commence legal proceedings against you in the appropriate High Court in Imo State, to claim the said sum of N5 billion as damages against you, as well as the appropriate injunctive reliefs against you,” the letter added.

The development comes days after former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo over similar alleged defamatory comments.

Obi reportedly warned that he could pursue legal action and seek additional damages should the demands remain unmet.

However, Okonkwo rejected the demand in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday. He also released what he described as WhatsApp exchanges between himself and Ohaegbu, which he claimed substantiated his allegations concerning Obi’s role in the party’s primary election process.

Okonkwo previously served as spokesperson to Obi before both men parted ways politically.