WorldStage– Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has filed a defamation lawsuit against activist Deji Adeyanju at the Anambra State High Court, Onitsha Judicial Division.
The suit, filed on October 3, 2025, through Obi’s lead counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), arises from allegedly defamatory statements Adeyanju made on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
According to court documents (Writ of Summons O/254/75), the suit accuses Adeyanju of describing Obi as “corrupt,” “fraud,” and a “religious bigot.”
Specific allegations cited in the filings include claims that Obi diverted Anambra State funds to family businesses, attempted to bribe Adeyanju during a private meeting, and manipulated voters using religion during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Obi is seeking N1.5 billion in aggravated damages, alongside a formal declaration that the statements are “false, baseless, unfounded, malicious, reckless, scandalous, and defamatory; a public apology and full retraction to be published on Adeyanju’s social media accounts and in at least three national newspapers, as well as on major television networks; and a perpetual injunction preventing further defamatory publications.
This legal action follows a pre-action notice sent by Obi’s lawyers on August 26, 2025, demanding Adeyanju retract the statements within seven days. Adeyanju did not comply, prompting the formal lawsuit.
Adeyanju responded publicly on October 15, confirming the suit and pledging to defend himself vigorously.
He stated, “I will prove in court that Peter Obi is corrupt, a bigot, and a fraud. You will all be entertained, I promise.”
He also criticized the choice of Anambra State as the venue, describing it as an attempt to inconvenience him.
Legal analysts note that the case highlights the ongoing tension in Nigeria between freedom of expression on social media and the country’s defamation laws.
Observers are closely watching, given both parties’ prominence, Obi as a former presidential candidate and Adeyanju as a vocal activist and lawyer.
No hearing date has been officially announced, but the case is expected to attract significant media attention in the coming weeks.