Peter Obi has filed a ₦1.5 billion defamation suit against activist Deji Adeyanju over damaging social-media posts.
The Labour Party leader seeks public apologies, retractions, and compensation for reputational harm.
Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has filed a N1.5 billion defamation lawsuit against Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju.
According to court filings shared by Adeyanju, the case was lodged before the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha.
Obi’s legal action follows his earlier threat in August to take Adeyanju to court for alleged defamatory comments. In a previous letter addressed to the activist, Obi’s counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused him of circulating damaging and unverified claims that portrayed the former governor as dishonest, corrupt, and intolerant. The legal team said Adeyanju’s posts some dating back to 2022 were aimed at damaging Obi’s image at home and abroad.
Among the accusations highlighted were claims that Obi diverted public funds into family-owned businesses, tried to offer Adeyanju a bribe after a private meeting, and allegedly used religion as a campaign tool during the 2023 presidential election.
The lawyers dismissed all allegations as fabrications meant to mislead the public.
In the fresh suit, Obi is seeking a declaration that Adeyanju’s posts on his verified social media pages, X, Facebook, and Instagram were false and harmful to his reputation. The writ of summons, dated October 3, directed Adeyanju to appear before the court within 42 days or risk judgment in his absence.
Obi is asking the court to compel Adeyanju to publish a public apology and a retraction of all offensive posts. The apology, he said, should be circulated across the activist’s social media accounts and published in at least three national newspapers, as well as on major television and online platforms, including Channels TV, TVC News, and Arise News.
He also wants the removal of all posts describing him with derogatory labels such as “religious extremist,” “fraudster,” or “political opportunist.”
Additionally, Obi is seeking a permanent injunction to stop Adeyanju from making similar statements in the future. He is asking for N500 million as aggravated damages for what he described as a deliberate smear campaign, and N1 billion in general damages for reputational harm, public ridicule, and emotional distress.
The suit also requests that Adeyanju bear the cost of litigation, along with 18 percent annual interest on any judgment sum until full payment.
Reacting through a post on X, Adeyanju confirmed receiving the court summons and said he was ready to defend himself. He stated that he was pleased Obi had gone ahead with the lawsuit and vowed to prove his allegations in court.
