Kenneth Okonkwo, a veteran Nollywood actor and politician, has responded to news that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, is seeking N5 billion in damages for alleged defamatory remarks.
Okonkwo criticised the purported legal action in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, implying that Obi was looking for money to run political campaigns.
The former Obi campaign spokesman stated that if Obi wanted money for political operations, he should ask him personally rather than resorting to what he called extortion.
“It has come to my attention that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his attorneys requesting that I pay him N5b. Hahaha!
“If Peter Obi needs money to campaign, he should approach me privately, not through extortion, and I will support him. I did so while I was his spokesperson, paying for my flight tickets and hotel accommodations for several of our campaigns,” Okonkwo stated.
Okonkwo also claimed that while serving as Obi’s spokesperson, he personally paid for campaign expenses including as travel tickets and hotel accommodations.
The actor-turned-politician said he hadn’t read the letter yet, but cautioned that any legal action may force him to reveal information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokeswoman.
He stated that he had refrained from revealing confidential material on principle, but that this could change if the matter went to court.
He also challenged Obi and his legal team to pursue the case, stating that he was ready to answer after analysing the letter.
Okonkwo replied that he will formally react to the demand letter after reading it.