TDA Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to former Labour Party presidential candidate and current Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Peter Obi, to serve court processes on his ex-campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, through substituted means in a ₦5 billion defamation suit.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, allows Obi to serve Okonkwo via alternative channels after difficulties in effecting personal service.
The suit stems from allegations made by Okonkwo following his departure from Obi’s 2023 campaign team, which Obi claims were defamatory and damaging to his reputation.
Court Decision and Background
The presiding judge ruled that substituted service was appropriate given the circumstances, enabling Obi’s legal team to serve the documents through means such as newspaper publication or delivery to Okonkwo’s last known address.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, was a prominent spokesman for Obi’s 2023 Labour Party presidential campaign.
However, following political disagreements, he parted ways with Obi’s camp and made public statements that the NDC candidate now argues were false and injurious.
Reactions and Next Steps
The case has generated significant attention online, with widespread debate on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Supporters of Obi view the lawsuit as a necessary step to protect his reputation, while critics argue it reflects deeper divisions within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
With the court granting substituted service, the matter is expected to proceed to hearing once Okonkwo is formally served.
Legal analysts note that the ₦5 billion claim underscores the seriousness with which Obi is pursuing the case, and the outcome could set a precedent for political defamation suits in Nigeria.
