In a significant legal development, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, has formally demanded N5 billion in damages from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the President. This move comes in response to accusations made by Onanuga, which Obi’s legal team claims are both defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

On July 20, 2024, Bayo Onanuga publicly alleged that Peter Obi was behind a nationwide protest planned for August, accusing him of inciting potential violence and unrest. Onanuga suggested that Obi’s supporters were orchestrating chaos, and he implied that Obi should be held accountable for any resulting disorder. These allegations were widely circulated through social media and mainstream news outlets, reaching a broad audience both within Nigeria and internationally.

Obi’s lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of MADIBA Chambers, has responded with a robust legal challenge. Ejesieme argues that the accusation is not only baseless but also a calculated attempt to malign Obi’s hard-earned reputation. According to Ejesieme, Obi has consistently demonstrated a commitment to non-violence and peace, even in the face of provocation. The lawyer asserts that the false allegations have severely harmed Obi’s image, portraying him unfairly as someone who endorses violence.

The legal team has demanded that Onanuga issue a public apology within 72 hours. This apology must appear in at least four major national newspapers. Ejesieme emphasizes that the defamation has caused significant distress to Obi, who has received a wave of support from well-wishers around the world in response to the false claims.

The demand for N5 billion in damages reflects the seriousness with which Obi and his legal team are treating this case. They argue that the financial compensation is necessary to address the harm done to Obi’s reputation and to hold Onanuga accountable for his actions.