Anambra Court Allows Service in Obi Defamation Suit

A court in Anambra State has granted permission for a defamation lawsuit filed by former presidential candidate Peter Obi against actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo to proceed after multiple failed attempts to personally deliver legal documents. The order for substituted service was granted by Justice D.A. Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha on June 30, 2026.

The court authorized Obi's legal team to serve the writ of summons and other court processes by pasting them at Okonkwo's last known residential address in Nsukka, Enugu State, or by delivering them to any adult found at the residence. The court also directed that photographic evidence of the service be taken and filed and that the service be completed within seven days from the date of the order. This procedural step clears the way for the substantive N8 billion lawsuit to move forward.

The legal action stems from comments Okonkwo allegedly made during an appearance on Channels Television on June 8, 2026. Obi's suit claims Okonkwo asserted that Obi collected N10 million from each aspirant seeking a House of Representatives ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and personally compiled the...