Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has filed a ₦1.5 billion defamation suit against Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju.
The lawsuit, lodged at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha, was confirmed through court documents shared by Adeyanju on Wednesday.
This development follows Obi’s earlier warning in August, where he threatened legal action over a series of social media posts deemed defamatory.
According to the suit, Obi is demanding declaratory and injunctive reliefs over what he described as “false, baseless, unfounded, malicious, reckless, scandalous, and defamatory” statements made by Adeyanju across several social media platforms.
Obi’s legal representative, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), had previously accused Adeyanju of making “false and malicious statements” that portrayed the former governor as corrupt, fraudulent, and a religious bigot.
The activist’s posts, dating back to 2022, were said to have harmed Obi’s reputation both in Nigeria and abroad.
Some of Adeyanju’s claims included allegations that Obi diverted Anambra State funds into family businesses, attempted to bribe him after a private meeting, and used religion to influence voters during the 2023 elections.
Describing the posts as “false, malicious, and contrived,” Obi’s legal team stated that there was no truth in the allegations and that the comments were aimed at destroying the politician’s public image.
The writ of summons, issued on October 3, instructs Adeyanju to respond within 42 days or face a default judgment.
The document demands that Adeyanju publicly retract the statements and issue an unreserved apology on all his verified social media platforms.
Furthermore, Obi seeks an apology in at least three national newspapers and major TV outlets, including Channels TV, TVC News, and Arise News.
The suit also asks for:
* ₦1 billion in general damages for reputational harm and emotional distress.
* ₦500 million in aggravated or exemplary damages for “reckless and malicious” defamation.
* A perpetual injunction restraining Adeyanju from further defamatory publications.
* 18% annual interest on the judgment sum until fully paid.
Reacting to the lawsuit, Adeyanju confirmed receipt of the summons via a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter).
He wrote:
“Finally, Peter Obi has sued me. I am actually happy and relieved that he didn’t chicken out in the end. Interestingly, he dragged me all the way to Anambra State, even though he is almost always in Abuja where I reside. But no shaking, we move. I will prove in court that Peter Obi is corrupt, a bigot, and a fraud. You will all be entertained, I promise.”
Meanwhile, Obi’s supporters argue that the legal action is necessary to protect his integrity, while Adeyanju’s allies insist it’s a test of transparency and truth.
