NIGERIA: Ex-Imo Governor Achike Udenwa Demands N5bn Damages And Public Apology From Kenneth Okonkwo Over Defamation

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a live television interview.

In a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026, signed by Udenwa’s lawyer, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN), the former governor accused Okonkwo of falsely claiming that he, along with Peter Obi and Onyema Ugochukwu, extorted money from South East political aspirants seeking elective positions under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The letter stated that Okonkwo made the remarks on Channels Television on June 8, 2026, during which he alleged that aspirants were coerced into making payments. Okonkwo reportedly cited one aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, as his source and referenced alleged payment details and a receipt.

Udenwa’s legal team described the statements as false and highly damaging, saying they portrayed their client as “a common criminal who abuses his position for personal monetary gains.” The remarks were widely broadcast nationally and internationally and subsequently published by several media organisations and online platforms.

The former governor demanded that Okonkwo publish a strongly worded retraction and apology in five national dailies and air it during prime-time programming on Channels Television within seven days. He also demanded the payment of N5 billion as compensation for the injury to his reputation.

Udenwa warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave him with no option but to commence legal proceedings in the appropriate High Court in Imo State to recover the damages and seek injunctive reliefs.

This latest demand comes after Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, also issued a similar N5 billion defamation demand against Okonkwo over the same interview. Okonkwo, who once served as Obi’s spokesperson before their relationship turned sour, has since dismissed the threats and shared alleged WhatsApp conversations to back his claims.

The development underscores the growing rift and legal tensions within opposition political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.