Court Summons Kenneth Okonkwo Over Bribery Claims Against Peter Obi

(Peter Obi and Kenneth Okonkwo. Photo Credit; Parallel Facts News)

An Anambra State High Court has issued a writ of summons to Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, directing him to appear before the court and substantiate bribery allegations he made against Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate Peter Obi.

The summons stems from a defamation suit filed by Obi following comments Okonkwo made during an appearance on an online television station’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026.

During the interview, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded additional payments from aspirants seeking tickets to contest House of Representatives and Senate elections.

He further claimed that documentary evidence, including receipts, existed to support the allegations, and also accused Obi of personally compiling candidate lists from a hotel room in Abuja.

Following the interview, Obi’s legal team, led by Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, issued a pre-action letter demanding an immediate retraction, a public apology, ₦5 billion in damages, and a commitment to refrain from making similar statements in the future.

Okonkwo rejected the demands, insisting his claims were true and releasing materials he described as supporting evidence including WhatsApp conversations and receipts while challenging Obi to pursue legal action.

Obi subsequently filed the defamation suit before the Anambra State High Court, seeking damages, a public retraction and apology, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo from making further defamatory statements.

The matter is yet to be heard and no judgment has been delivered.