Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign, says the defamation suit filed against him by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is based on statements he never made.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo said Obi had already commenced legal proceedings against him but questioned the basis of the suit.
He noted that a defamation action should relate to statements that have already been made and allegedly damaged a person’s reputation.
BACKGROUND
In June, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and the south-east caucus of the NDC demanded bribes from House of Representatives and Senate hopefuls of the party in return for tickets on Channels TV.
The ADC chieftain alleged that Obunike Ohaegbu, NDC aspirant for a House of Representatives ticket in Anambra, sent him a message alleging Obi scammed him to the tune of N10 million.
Ohaegbu later appeared on the same television programme to deny allegations that Obi collected N10 million as bribe from him.
The politician said he paid N10 million to the NDC bank account based on the information he received from the party’s national secretary and not to Obi.
Subsequently, Obi threatened a lawsuit against Okonkwo over alleged defamatory comments, while demanding the sum of N5 billion “as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the grave injury occasioned to his hard-earned reputation”.
Obi said he sued Okonkwo to prevent him from making further defamatory remarks on him.
“No, I sued Kenneth, not because of what he said. He said the things he would say that will be worse. So, we cannot continue to preach what we are not,” Obi said.
“I want those who have things that I did wrong, that will make me not to be president of Nigeria, to bring it out.
“Okonkwo said he has information that he will release to the public, and that will be the end of Peter Obi. This is the time for everybody to come and say what Peter Obi did that is wrong, and proven.”
‘WHAT I TOLD OBI’
Responding to Obi’s comments, Okonkwo said he never claimed that he possessed information that would “destroy” the former Anambra governor.
“I did not say anything — whether it would destroy him or not,” he said.
“He (Obi) has already commenced the suing before I say what I say.
”When you’re dealing with Peter Obi, it’s good to put everything in writing. What I said is on my X handle.
“I said it is unwise for you (Obi) to sue your spokesperson. Indeed. Because in the defence of himself, he may divulge some confidential information.”
Okonkwo also noted that the N5 billion damages claim did not originate from the court but from Obi’s pre-action notice, which is typically issued before a defamation suit is filed.
“The N5 billion did not commence from the court; it commenced from his pre-action notice. Then the court you are going is just to use it to get those things you have already asked for,” he said.
He accused Obi of misrepresenting both the facts and the legal process surrounding the dispute.
