- Defamation: Udenwa Drags Kenneth Okonkwo To Court, Demands ₦5bn
- Udenwa is demanding ₦5 billion in damages over the alleged remarks.
- He also wants a public apology, retraction and removal of related publications.
A former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, has filed a ₦5 billion defamation suit against a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, over comments allegedly made during a television interview.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the suit was filed before the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division, and served on Okonkwo outside the court’s jurisdiction at Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State.
Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, is being sued over statements he allegedly made on June 8, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily* programme.
According to court documents, Okonkwo allegedly said, “That is why the NDC has released a statement that it is only the South-East caucus of the party that was involved in such problems. Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of South-East caucus were busy extorting the South-East aspirants.”
Udenwa claimed that the interview was broadcast live and later uploaded to Channels Television’s YouTube channel under the title, “Kenneth Okonkwo Criticises Peter Obi, Condemns NDC Primaries.”
He further alleged that the statement was amplified through Okonkwo’s verified accounts on X, Facebook and other social media platforms.
In his statement of claim, Udenwa denied collecting or extorting money from any political aspirant.
The former governor said he was a member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) but held no executive position in the party and played no role in its process for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.
He also maintained that he had never met Onyema Ugochukwu or Peter Obi to extort political aspirants from the South-East.
Udenwa said he had never been accused of fraud, dishonesty or financial impropriety throughout his public career and had not been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) or any other investigative agency.
He alleged that Okonkwo’s comments damaged his reputation and led to several calls from associates seeking explanations.
## Udenwa Demands Apology, Retraction
Udenwa is asking the court to declare the statements false, malicious, baseless and defamatory.
He is also seeking ₦5 billion in general damages over the alleged injury to his reputation, character, integrity and political standing.
The former governor wants the court to compel Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels Television, its YouTube channel and his accounts on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
He is also seeking an order directing the publication of the apology in three national newspapers within 30 days.
Other reliefs sought include an order compelling Okonkwo to remove all related posts, videos and publications, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining him from making similar allegations against Udenwa.
The former governor is additionally demanding ₦25 million in legal fees and the cost of prosecuting the suit.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN), said Okonkwo had 42 days from the date of service to enter an appearance in the suit.
He added that the court could proceed to deliver judgment in Okonkwo’s absence if he failed to respond within the stipulated period.
The allegations contained in the suit remain subject to determination by the court.
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