Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party Presidential candidate, has filed a lawsuit against Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, demanding N5 billion in damages. The lawsuit stems from alleged defamatory statements made by Onanuga, which Obi claims have severely damaged his reputation.
Recall that the Presidential Spokesperson had on July 20, 2024, claimed in his X handle @aonanuga1956 that “ Peter Ob’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy”
Obi writing through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of the MADIBA Chambers said that the allegation which was widely published in social and mainstream media and read by many within and outside the country maligned his hard-earned reputation as a man who indulges in violence when all his antecedents are vivid that he abhors violence even in the face of extreme provocation.
“It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate and embarrass him by the estimation of every right thinking member of the society”
The letter continued that the allegation may have achieved its insipid motive as well-wishers from all around the globe have inundated Obi to register their shock.
“His appellation as ‘Okwute’ ( the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our client given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.
“ Consequently, we have our clients mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch and the Cable, including your verified X“@aonanuga1956.
“Our client is also making an unequivocal demand for the monetary damage of N5b for the embarrassment your defamatory publication has caused him and his family”
The letter said “In the event of your failure to meet the demands set out above, our client shall be constrained to approach a Court of Competent jurisdiction and take legal action against you for defamation and libel”
This development is expected to generate substantial attention and discussion in both political and media circles, with potential implications for media freedom and political discourse in Nigeria.