Defamation: Ex-Imo Governor Gives Kenneth Okonkwo 7-Day Ultimatum to Apologise

Former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo

Defamation: Ex-Imo Governor Gives Kenneth Okonkwo 7-Day Ultimatum to Apologise

Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa has officially demanded a public apology and N5 billion in damages from NDC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo over comments made during a live television interview, which Udenwa’s legal team says were defamatory and portrayed him as “a common criminal.” The demand comes just days after Peter Obi, former Anambra Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, issued a similar N5 billion defamation notice against Okonkwo over related remarks on the same programme. Udenwa’s legal team has given Okonkwo seven days to comply or face legal action at an Imo State High Court.

The dispute stems from an appearance by Kenneth Okonkwo on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 8, 2026. During the live broadcast, Okonkwo alleged that South-East leaders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) extorted money from party aspirants. He specifically named Achike Udenwa (former Imo Governor), Peter Obi (former Anambra Governor), and Onyema Ugochukwu (NDC chieftain). Okonkwo was quoted as saying, “They were busy extorting the South East aspirants,” adding that an aspirant named Obunike Ohaegbu provided him with a receipt as evidence. The remarks were aired nationally and internationally, then widely republished by online platforms, blogs, and national newspapers.

In a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026, signed by his counsel Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN) , Udenwa rejected the allegations as entirely false. The letter emphasized that Udenwa served two terms as Imo Governor (1999–2007) and later as a federal minister, has no corruption case pending against him anywhere in Nigeria or abroad, and has never been accused of extortion, violence, or illegal collection of funds. The letter stated, “Most regrettably, your defamatory statement has greatly injured our client in his credit and reputation and portrayed him as a common criminal who abuses his position for personal monetary gains.”

Udenwa’s lawyers issued a seven-day ultimatum requiring Okonkwo to issue a strongly worded public apology retracting the statements, publish the apology in five national newspapers, air the apology during prime time on Channels Television, provide a written undertaking never to repeat the allegations, and pay N5 billion in compensatory damages for reputational harm. The letter warned, “Take notice that if the above demands are not strictly met within the stipulated time frame, we have his instructions to commence legal proceedings against you in the appropriate High Court in Imo State.”

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This is the second major defamation action Okonkwo faces from the same television appearance. Earlier, Peter Obi also demanded N5 billion and a public apology, alleging that Okonkwo falsely claimed Obi demanded N10 million bribes from House of Representatives aspirants and operated from a hotel room. Obi’s legal team threatened additional damages if Okonkwo fails to comply.

Kenneth Okonkwo, who previously served as Peter Obi’s campaign spokesperson before their political fallout, has publicly rejected both demands. On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Okonkwo mocked the N5 billion claims, dared both Udenwa and Obi to proceed to court, and released alleged WhatsApp exchanges with Obunike Ohaegbu to support his original claims. However, Ohaegbu himself appeared on Channels Television on June 9 to deny Okonkwo’s version of events, stating that he paid N10 million directly into the NDC’s bank account based on instructions from the party’s national secretary, not to any leader personally.

Legal analysts say Udenwa’s demand follows a standard pre-action protocol for defamation in Nigeria. If Okonkwo fails to comply within seven days, Udenwa may file a High Court claim in Imo State, the court could award substantial damages if defamation is proven, and Okonkwo may also face injunctive relief restraining further publication. However, Okonkwo’s public defiance and his release of alleged evidence suggest a protracted legal battle is likely.

In summary, Achike Udenwa demands N5 billion and a public apology from Kenneth Okonkwo over comments made on Channels TV (June 8, 2026) , after Udenwa says he was portrayed as “a common criminal” using violence to extort money. A seven-day ultimatum has been issued by lawyer Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN) . Peter Obi made a similar N5 billion demand days earlier. Okonkwo rejects both, dares them to court, and releases WhatsApp “evidence,” although Obunike Ohaegbu has denied Okonkwo’s claim. The next step is likely Imo State High Court if the ultimatum expires.