Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has initiated a N15 billion (US$33.7 million) defamation lawsuit against political activist Deji Adeyanju over a series of social media posts, his legal team confirmed Tuesday.
The legal action follows Adeyanju’s failure to comply with an ultimatum demanding the deletion and public retraction of alleged defamatory statements posted on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Obi’s legal counsel, Alex Ejesieme and Co., stated the posts were “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” and calculated to damage the former governor’s standing both locally and internationally.
The posts targeted by the lawsuit include allegations that Obi misappropriated Anambra State funds to invest in his family business and claimed the politician had attempted to offer Adeyanju a bribe. Obi’s legal team demanded a full, unreserved apology published in three daily national newspapers.
In response to the initial threat of litigation, Adeyanju, known for his controversial political commentary, stated he was eager for the court battle. He reportedly wrote on his Facebook page that he “can’t wait to meet him in court finally,” dismissing Obi as “A fraud parading himself as a messiah.”
The suit seeks aggravated damages of N15 billion and an injunction to restrain Adeyanju from further publishing the alleged defamatory materials. The legal clash sets the stage for a high-profile showdown between the politician and one of his most outspoken critics.
The drama surrounding this legal action is detailed further in a video on the conflict. Issues With Jide | Peter Obi, Deji Adeyanju in dirty battle
