Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha has officially granted the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, permission to serve court documents on his estranged ally, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, through substituted means, following unsuccessful attempts at personal service. The court's ruling marks a significant procedural step forward in the high-stakes defamation lawsuit, which seeks N5 billion in damages over allegations Okonkwo made against Obi and the NDC leadership in a television interview.
According to the court's directive, the legal documents are to be pasted at Okonkwo's last known address in Nsukka, Enugu State, or handed to any adult found at the residence. This substituted service order ensures that the lawsuit can proceed even if Okonkwo cannot be personally served, a common legal recourse when a defendant evades or cannot be reached through conventional methods. The suit is expected to proceed once the substituted service is completed and Okonkwo has had the opportunity to respond.
The legal action stems from allegations made by Okonkwo during a television interview on June 8, 2026, in which he accused Obi and some NDC leaders in the South-East of demanding additional payments from aspirants seeking the party's tickets for National Assembly positions. Okonkwo, a former member of the Labour Party who had previously supported Obi's presidential bid, claimed that documentary evidence, including receipts, existed to support his allegations. He also alleged that Obi personally compiled candidate lists from a hotel room in Abuja and made other claims bordering on dishonesty and criminal conduct.
Following the allegations, Obi's legal team issued a pre-action letter demanding a retraction, a public apology on Channels Television and social media platforms, and an undertaking that Okonkwo would refrain from making similar statements in the future. The legal team also demanded N5 billion in damages for what they described as defamatory statements that had caused significant harm to Obi's reputation and political standing.
The lawsuit, filed at the Anambra State High Court, Onitsha Judicial Division, with suit number O/229/26, is a "Specially Endorsed Writ for Service outside Jurisdiction," as Okonkwo resides in Enugu State. The writ commands Okonkwo to enter an appearance within 42 days of being served.
Okonkwo and Obi were once political allies, with Okonkwo serving as a prominent spokesperson for Obi's presidential campaign in 2023. However, their relationship soured after Okonkwo defected from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and later made critical remarks about Obi's leadership and integrity. The defamation suit represents a dramatic escalation of their public feud, which has played out extensively on social media and traditional media platforms.
With the court's approval of substituted service, the legal process is expected to move forward. Once Okonkwo is properly served, he will have 42 days to enter an appearance and respond to the claims. If he fails to do so, the court may proceed with a default judgment against him. The case has drawn significant public attention, given the high-profile nature of both parties and the political implications of the allegations. As the legal battle unfolds, it is likely to further polarise public opinion and deepen the divisions within Nigeria's opposition political space.
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