Defamation: Okonkwo dares Obi, threatens to reveal confidential

By Lukman Olabiyi

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has warned that any defamation lawsuit instituted against him by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could compel him to disclose confidential information obtained during his time as Obi’s spokesperson.

Okonkwo, who served as one of the spokespersons for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, made the remarks in a series of posts on his X handle whilst reacting to a legal threat issued by the former Anambra State governor.

The dispute stems from comments made by Okonkwo during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he alleged that Obi and members of the South East caucus of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) demanded financial payments from aspirants seeking House of Representatives and Senate tickets under the party’s platform.

He specifically claimed that Obunike Ohaegbu, an aspirant for a House of Representatives ticket in Anambra State, informed him that he had been defrauded of N10 million during the party’s primary process and held Obi responsible.

However, Ohaegbu appeared on the same television station on Tuesday and refuted the allegation, explaining that the N10 million payment was made directly into the party’s bank account based on instructions from the party’s National Secretary and not to Obi personally.

Following the denial, Obi, through his lawyers, reportedly demanded N5 billion in damages from Okonkwo for alleged defamation, claiming that the comments had caused serious injury to his reputation.

Responding to the threat, Okonkwo shared screenshots of what he described as WhatsApp conversations with a contact saved as “Obunike Ohaegbu” and insisted that the aspirant had told him he was scammed during the primary process.

The former actor maintained his position and challenged Obi to pursue the matter in court.

“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his lawyers that I should pay him N5 billion. Hahaha!” Okonkwo wrote.

He further claimed that he personally financed some aspects of Obi’s 2023 campaign activities, including transportation and accommodation costs while serving as a spokesperson.

“I have not read the letter. Let me sound this note of warning, the lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, suing a former spokesperson over allegations of defamation is ill-advised because of the sensitive information such individuals may possess.

“My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he added.

Okonkwo also urged Obi and his legal team to proceed with the lawsuit, insisting he was prepared to defend his claims in court.