Peter Obi Threatens To File Lawsuit Against Kenneth Okonkwo Over N10m Bribe Claim

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has threatened legal action against actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over allegations that he demanded a N10 million bribe from aspirants seeking elective positions within the party.

Obi, through his legal counsel, issued a formal letter of demand to Okonkwo following comments made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026.

The letter, dated June 9, 2026, was signed by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co. (Madiba Chambers), and accused Okonkwo of making false and defamatory statements capable of damaging Obi’s reputation and public standing.

According to the legal team, Okonkwo alleged during the television interview that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded an additional N10 million payment from House of Representatives aspirants after they had paid the official expression of interest fees.

The letter quoted Okonkwo as claiming that “our Client, Mr. Peter Obi, together with the leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South-East, informed the party’s aspirants that any person seeking to contest as a member of the House of Representatives must, after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee, pay a bribe of Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000.00) to the NDC and to the Caucus leaders.”

Obi’s lawyers further said Okonkwo claimed there was documentary evidence backing the allegation, including receipts allegedly showing payment of the money. They also accused him of alleging that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidates’ list from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, travelled abroad to collect money from individuals, and was involved in criminal activities alongside party leaders in the South-East.

Rejecting the allegations in their entirety, Obi’s legal team described the claims as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact.”

The chambers stated: “The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and is actively perpetuating criminality.”

The lawyers argued that the remarks amounted to serious accusations of bribery, extortion, fraud and criminal conspiracy, which they said were directed at Obi’s integrity and reputation.

They added that the widespread circulation of the interview across social media platforms had amplified the alleged damage caused by the statements.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our Client states categorically that the said allegations are false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact,” the letter said.

“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.”

The legal team further maintained that while freedom of expression is protected under the law, it does not extend to making defamatory statements that damage another person’s reputation.

As part of its demands, Obi’s legal team requested that Okonkwo immediately retract the allegations and issue a “clear, unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to the former Anambra State governor.

The apology, according to the letter, must receive the same level of prominence as the original broadcast and be published across all of Okonkwo’s social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

The lawyers also demanded a written undertaking from Okonkwo that he would refrain from making further defamatory statements against Obi, in addition to paying financial compensation for the alleged harm caused.

They warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would leave Obi with no option but to pursue legal remedies in court.

The latest dispute marks a significant escalation in the political fallout between Obi and Okonkwo, who were once allies, and could set the stage for a high-profile legal battle over allegations made in the public domain.