Obi slams N1.5bn suit on Adeyanju for alleged defamation

Obi slams N1.5bn suit on Adeyanju for alleged defamation

Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has slammed a N1.5bn lawsuit against political activist, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, over alleged defamatory statements made against him on social media.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division, accuses Adeyanju of publishing false and malicious claims that allegedly damaged Obi’s reputation and integrity.

In the writ of summons, marked O/254/75 and issued on October 3, by his counsel, Alex Ejesieme, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Obi is seeking a declaration that several posts and comments made by Adeyanju on his verified X account, Facebook page, and Instagram handle were “false, baseless, unfounded, malicious, reckless, scandalous, and defamatory.”

The former governor is also demanding that Adeyanju publishes a public apology and full retraction on all his social media handles and in at least three national newspapers as well as major television networks such as Channels Television, Arise News, and TVC News.

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In addition, Obi is asking the court to order the activist to delete all alleged defamatory posts describing him with derogatory labels such as “religious bigot,” “fraud,” “scum,” and “political prostitute,” among others.

He further seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyanju, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory publications against him.

Furthermore, Obi is asking for the sum of N500m in aggravated damages and N1bn in general damages, for the reputational harm, ridicule, and emotional distress allegedly suffered.

He is also asking for payment of 18 percent interest per annum on the judgment sum until its full liquidation, as well as the cost of litigation.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

Obi slams N1.5bn suit on Adeyanju for alleged defamation