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Obi drags former political acolyte Okonkwo to court over alleged defamatory bribery claims

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The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has started legal action against his former political acolyte and kinsman, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations that he and other party leaders collected bribes from aspirants seeking elective positions.

The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the public fallout between the two political associates, whose relationship has deteriorated in recent months following disagreements over political developments and party affairs.Politics

According to court documents filed by Obi’s legal team, the former Anambra State governor is challenging a series of statements allegedly made by Okonkwo during a public broadcast, in which he accused Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East of demanding illicit payments from aspirants seeking tickets to contest for seats in the House of Representatives.

The suit, dated June 9, 2026, was filed by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co. (Madiba Chambers), who described the allegations as false, malicious, and highly damaging to Obi’s reputation.

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According to the legal filing, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that House of Representatives aspirants were required to pay an additional ₦10 million to party leaders after paying the official expression of interest and nomination fees.

The suit quoted Okonkwo as alleging that Obi and South-East leaders of the NDC informed aspirants that payment of the additional sum was necessary to secure consideration within the party.

Obi’s lawyers further stated that Okonkwo claimed documentary evidence existed to support the allegation and that receipts had allegedly been issued for the payments.

The actor-turned-politician was also accused of alleging that Obi personally compiled the list of party candidates from a hotel room and manipulated the candidate selection process.

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Among other assertions attributed to Okonkwo were claims that Obi travelled abroad to collect money from individuals and that he, alongside other NDC leaders in the South-East, was involved in activities amounting to criminal conduct.

Obi Describes Allegations as False and Defamatory

In the legal action, Obi’s lawyers strongly rejected the allegations, insisting that the statements were entirely fabricated and intended to tarnish the former governor’s image.

The legal team argued that the claims portrayed their client as a dishonest political figure involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, and criminal conspiracy.

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According to the suit, the statements were capable of exposing Obi to public hatred, ridicule, contempt, and distrust among members of society.

“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor,” the legal team stated.

The lawyers further argued that the allegations struck directly at Obi’s reputation as a public servant and political leader.

They described the remarks as reckless and unsupported by any credible evidence.

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Concern Over Social Media Amplification

Obi’s legal representatives also expressed concern over the manner in which the statements were allegedly disseminated.

According to the law firm, the comments were made during a live television appearance before being widely circulated across social media platforms and online channels, thereby increasing their reach and potential impact.

The legal team maintained that while freedom of expression remains a constitutional right, it does not extend to publishing statements capable of damaging another person’s reputation without factual basis.

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They argued that the remarks went beyond the limits of political criticism and fair comment.

“Your words were not mere political commentary. They crossed the permissible bounds of fair comment and constituted a direct assault on our client’s person, integrity, image and reputation,” the lawyers stated.

Obi Demands Retraction, Apology and Compensation

As part of the reliefs sought, Obi’s legal team is demanding that Okonkwo immediately withdraw the statements in their entirety and issue a public apology.

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The proposed apology, according to the lawyers, must be clear, unconditional, and given the same level of prominence as the original allegations.

They further requested that the apology be published across all major social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

In addition, the legal team is seeking a written undertaking from Okonkwo, committing him to refrain from making further defamatory statements against their client.

The suit also includes a demand for financial compensation for the alleged damage caused to Obi’s reputation and public standing.

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The legal battle comes amid ongoing political realignments and public disagreements involving former allies within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, with the dispute expected to attract significant public and political attention in the coming weeks.

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Makinde Hails Adeleke’s Re-election, Berates Attempt to Use Federal Might 

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has hailed his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Makinde, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said Adeleke’s victory was a reward for his commitment to serving the people and delivering good governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor commended Osun voters for demonstrating courage and determination in exercising their franchise despite what he described as violence and the use of federal power.

He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as an opportunity and encouragement to consolidate his achievements and deliver more development to the people of Osun State.

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Makinde said the outcome of the election had once again demonstrated that power ultimately belongs to the people in a democracy.

“The results of the election proved again that the people reserve the absolute power in a democracy and that their movement will always triumph over all other considerations,” he said.

The governor also commended the people of Osun State for voting for their preferred candidate, saying their action demonstrated that the will of the electorate could prevail over political manoeuvring.

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Osun election: Read What Adeleke Said After Defeating Oyebamiji

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Osun State Governor and candidate of the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke, has thanked God and the people of the state following his victory in the governorship election, saying he expects the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call and congratulate him.

Adeleke, speaking after the declaration of the election result, described his victory as a triumph for democracy and a reward from the people of Osun State for his administration’s achievements.

He thanked God for what he described as a successful election, saying the outcome reflected the people’s appreciation of his administration’s efforts in infrastructure, healthcare, security and other areas.

“I thank God Almighty for this victory. It’s a victory for democracy. Victory for Osun election,” Adeleke said.

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According to him, the result was also a way for the people of Osun to repay his administration for its efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare and security across the state.

He said: “The victory is a way Osun people is repaying me for the infrastructural developments, health, security and other things I have delivered for my people.”

Adeleke, who adopted a conciliatory tone after the election, said there was no victor and no vanquished, while expressing optimism that his main challenger would accept the outcome.

It’s no victor, no vanquish. I am expecting for the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.

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The governor also attributed his victory to his faith in God, saying, “I have a God who never fails.”

Adeleke further thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a successful election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji of the APC, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11, giving the incumbent a 66,252-vote margin.

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NDLEA nabs India-bound bizman with cocaine, recovers N3.6b Colos, codeine in Lagos(Photos)

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. 70-year-old grandpa nabbed, large consignments of opioids, others seized in Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo, Delta sweeps

A 48-year-old businessman Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi who liquidated all his assets to chase a dream of quick riches in the illicit drug trade has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, while heading to New Delhi, India, with 1.550 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed within the side walls and railings of his bag.


Nwankwo who deals in marbles in Lagos was arrested at the departure hall of terminal II of the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.

A search of his check-in bag uncovered 1.550 kilograms of cocaine factory-fitted in the walls and railings of his bag.

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In a candid confession that lays bare the desperation that fuels the drug trade, Nwankwo said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the ₦23 million he paid for the consignment, with the expectation of selling it in India for as much as N100 million.

With his assets gone, and Nwankwo’s dream of transiting from a marble trader to a drug kingpin effectively shattered following his arrest, the suspect remains in custody awaiting prosecution and likely time in jail.

In another operation, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a warehouse within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu street Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos, where a massive stockpile of codeine-based syrup was discovered.

A total of 3,776 cartons, comprising 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, valued at over N2.6 billion, were recovered between Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August 2026.
In yet another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 14th August raided the residence of a 55-year-old kingpin Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare street, Ipaja estate, Ipaja area of Lagos, recovering 324 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a street value of Nine Hundred and Seventy-Two Million Naira (N972,000,000).

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Also recovered from the suspect were a Mercedes-Benz car and a Toyota Corolla car.
In Kwara, two suspects: Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, were on Thursday 13th August arrested at Kam Wire area of Ilorin with 55.96kg skunk in a truck marked DKA 350 XL recovered, while two other suspects: 70-year-old grandpa Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were nabbed by NDLEA officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday 12th August. Recovered from their Toyota Sienna vehicle marked FFA-115KA, include: 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.


A total of 124,100 pills of tramadol; 786 bottles of codeine syrup; 2,598 tablets of rohypnol;
4,800 tablets of diazepam; 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection were recovered from two suspects: Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, along Onitsha/Asaba expressway on Thursday 13th August, while another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was nabbed with 1,244 pieces of cartridges and monetary exhibit of eight million naira (N8,000,000) only along Kwale/Ozoro expressway on Wednesday 12th August.
A Toyota Corolla car with registration number MKD 341 EA was intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Riyom/Jos road, Jos Plateau state where 239,490 caps of tramaforce, a brand of tramadol were recovered and a suspect Kasum Sherif arrested.
In Kano, six suspects were arrested on Monday 10th August by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Zaria-Kano road.

They include: Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39. Large consignments of opioids were recovered from them include 728,958 pills of tramadol, rohypnol, and others as well as 360 grams of cocaine, 99.8 grams of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and and 2.7 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.


Also in Kano, NDLEA operatives on Friday 14th August raided the Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso LGA, where they recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg and arrested two suspects: Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24 in connection with the seizure.
A total of 4,628.9775kg skunk was destroyed on two cannabis farms that measured 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state where a suspect Agholor Elebojie, 40, was arrested in one of the farms during a raid by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 12th August. Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was nabbed with 25.857kg Loud and 93 grams of meth during a raid of drug joints at Oluku area of Benin city on Friday 14th August.


The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School, Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School, Ajah, Lagos state, among others.

While commending the officers, men and women of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

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