Amanze Chinonye
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha has granted Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, leave to serve court processes on former ally and actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo through substituted means after repeated attempts to effect personal service failed, Prime Business Africa reports.
The court ordered that the originating processes be pasted at Okonkwo’s last known address in Nsukka, Enugu State, or delivered to any adult found at the residence. Once the order is complied with, the service will be deemed valid, paving the way for the substantive hearing of the N5 billion defamation suit.
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The ruling removes a key procedural hurdle in a case that has drawn attention due to the public fallout between Obi and Okonkwo, who previously worked together during the 2023 presidential campaign before parting ways.
The legal dispute stems from allegations made by Okonkwo, who claimed that Obi and some leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded additional payments from aspirants seeking the party’s National Assembly tickets. He further alleged that documentary evidence, including receipts, existed to support his claims.
Okonkwo also accused Obi of personally compiling the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room in Abuja and made other allegations bordering on dishonesty and criminal conduct.
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Obi’s legal team rejected the claims as false and defamatory, issuing a pre-action demand requiring Okonkwo to retract the statements, publish a public apology on Channels Television and across his social media platforms, pay N5 billion in damages, and undertake not to repeat the allegations.
After the demands were not met, Obi instituted the suit before the Anambra State High Court.
With the order for substituted service now in place, the matter is expected to advance to substantive proceedings once the court documents are served in accordance with the court’s directive, bringing the high-profile defamation case a step closer to judicial determination.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
