In a pre-action letter signed by his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi accused Okonkwo of making damaging and false claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday. He is demanding a public retraction, apology, and N5 billion in damages.
The two politicians were once close associates, having worked together in the Labour Party before both later joined the ADC. Obi subsequently left the party to pursue his political ambitions under the NDC.
The dispute stems from comments made by Okonkwo during the television interview, where he alleged that Obi and members of the NDC’s South-East caucus demanded N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants seeking party tickets.
According to Okonkwo, an aspirant from Anambra State, Obunike Ohaegbu, had contacted him and provided evidence, including a receipt, claiming he paid the money. He further alleged that despite the payment, aspirants were later instructed to participate in primaries rather than being handed tickets directly.
Okonkwo also claimed that Ohaegbu accused Obi of compiling and submitting a list of party candidates from Johnwood Hotel in Abuja instead of allowing a transparent primary process. He argued that such actions amounted to criminal conduct and accused the party of exploiting aspirants.
However, Ohaegbu has publicly distanced himself from the allegations. Appearing on the same Channels Television programme on Tuesday, he denied ever accusing Obi of demanding money from him.
“I am telling you that Peter Obi never told me to pay N10 million. I never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi, in any way, told me to pay N10 million,” he said.
Ohaegbu also rejected claims that he accused the NDC South-East caucus of collecting bribes or that he specifically linked Obi to the alleged preparation of candidates’ lists.
“What I said is that there was an allegation that the list had been prepared in Johnwood. I didn’t mention names,” he added.
Reacting through his legal team, Obi described Okonkwo’s statements as a deliberate attempt to portray him as a fraudster, extortionist and participant in criminal activities.
“These are extremely grave, damaging and reckless imputations of bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty and criminality directed at the character, integrity, reputation and public standing of my person,” he said.
Obi maintained that the allegations were intended to expose him to public ridicule, contempt and hatred while damaging his standing and credibility.
As part of his demands, Obi asked Okonkwo to withdraw the statements, issue an apology on Channels Television, and publish the retraction across all his social media platforms within seven days.
He is also seeking N5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages for what he described as the injury caused to his reputation. In addition, Obi wants Okonkwo to provide a written undertaking that he will not repeat or circulate the allegations in the future.
“Take notice that should you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, our client (Peter Obi) shall be left with no option than to seek legal redress against you without further recourse to you.
“Such action shall include, but shall not be limited to, claims for general, aggravated and exemplary damages in the said sum of N5 billion and indeed such a higher sum as the court may deem fit, together with injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and the full cost of the proceedings,” the letter read.
Okonkwo had yet to publicly respond to the legal threat as of the time of filing this report.