Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has issued a writ of summons to a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, to present evidence of bribery allegation he levelled against the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The invitation is part of a defamation suit filed by Obi after Okonkwo’s comments during an appearance on a national television. Okonkwo had alleged that Obi and the leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded additional payments from aspirants seeking tickets to contest House of Representatives and Senate elections.
The Nollywood veteran-turned politician further alleged that documentary evidence, including receipts, existed to support his allegations. According to him, the former Anambra State governor personally compiled candidate lists from a hotel room in Abuja and made other allegations relating to dishonesty and criminal conduct.
After the interview, Obi’s legal team issued a pre-action letter demanding an immediate retraction, a public apology on Channels Television and social media platforms, N5 billion in damages, and a commitment to refrain from making similar statements in the future.
However, the ADC chieftain rejected the demands and insisted that his claims were true. He equally released materials he described as supporting evidence, including WhatsApp conversations and receipts, challenging Obi to pursue legal action.
Obi subsequently filed a defamation suit before the Anambra State High Court, seeking damages, a public retraction and apology, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo from making further defamatory statements. The matter is yet to be heard, and no judgment has been delivered.
