Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from ADC chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, over alleged defamatory statements made during a live television interview.
The demand was conveyed in a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026, and signed by Udenwa’s lawyer, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN).
According to the letter, Udenwa accused Okonkwo of making false claims that portrayed him as someone who extorted money from political aspirants through intimidation and coercion, allegations he said had seriously damaged his reputation.
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The former governor argued that the comments, which were aired on national television and subsequently circulated across traditional and digital media platforms, amplified the alleged harm to his public image.
Udenwa maintained that the remarks painted him as “a common criminal who abuses his position for personal monetary gains.”
The controversy stems from an appearance by Okonkwo on Channels Television on June 8, during which he allegedly accused leaders of the South-East caucus of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), including Udenwa, Peter Obi and Onyema Ugochukwu, of extorting aspirants seeking elective positions within the party.
During the interview, Okonkwo reportedly claimed that members of the South-East caucus were involved in collecting money from aspirants and referenced evidence allegedly provided by one of the aspirants, Obunike Ohaegbu, including receipts of payments.
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In response, Udenwa demanded that Okonkwo issue a formal retraction and apology within seven days of receiving the letter.
He further requested that the apology be published in five national newspapers and aired during prime-time programming on Channels Television. The former governor also asked for a written undertaking that the allegations would not be repeated.
In addition to the apology, Udenwa is seeking ₦5 billion as compensation for the alleged reputational damage caused by the remarks.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would result in legal action before a competent High Court in Imo State.
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The development comes shortly after Peter Obi reportedly issued a similar ₦5 billion demand and request for a public apology over the same allegations.
Okonkwo, however, has rejected the accusations against him and has reportedly released what he described as WhatsApp conversations with Obunike Ohaegbu as evidence to support his claims, insisting that his comments were based on information available to him.
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