I May Reveal Confidential Information, Okonkwo Warns Obi Over Suit

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has dismissed a N5bn defamation suit threat issued against him by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

Obi had issued a pre-action letter to Okonkwo, demanding a retraction of alleged defamatory statements, a public apology, and payment of N5bn in damages within seven days or face legal action.

The allegations included claims that Obi defrauded House of Representatives aspirants of N10m each and influenced the compilation of a list of candidates for federal constituencies in the South-East.

Okonkwo, who previously served as Obi’s spokesperson during their time in the Labour Party, responded on Wednesday via his verified X account, dismissing the threat and challenging Obi to proceed with the lawsuit.

He said he had not fully read the letter but insisted that any confidential information he obtained in his former role would be treated with caution, while accusing Obi of hypocrisy and dishonesty.

He also described Obi’s move as unwise and urged him to follow through with the court action.

He said in a statement he shared on X, “It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha! If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him. I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns.

“I have not read the letter. Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone.

“My principle is that I do not use any confidential information I share with anyone against the person except the person who becomes unintelligent enough to tow the line of foolishness. Anyone who decides to sue his former Spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise.

I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his Lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers.

“According to Obunike Ohaegbu, “I am Obunike Ohaegbu, aspirant for Nnewi North/Nnewi South Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and I am saying that I was scammed and the party blames PO.”

As part of his response, Okonkwo shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations he said were exchanges with a House of Representatives aspirant, which he claimed supported his allegation that the aspirant complained of being scammed and blamed Obi.

However, the messages he posted showed only a statement that the aspirant said he was “scammed and the party blames PO,” without explicitly stating that Obi personally collected money or directly defrauded anyone.

Okonkwo also published a bank transaction receipt of N10m, which he said was evidence of the alleged extortion. The receipt, however, showed payment made to the official account of the NDC, rather than to Obi or any individual linked directly to him.