*Court Grants Obi Leave To Serve Okonkwo Through Substituted Means In N5bn Defamation Suit

FORMER vice president and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for next year’s general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, as his spokesperson.

    This was disclosed by Okonkwo himself in a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, July 1, expressing appreciation to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him.

    He wrote: “I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, as his spokesperson.

    “I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me.”

    Okonkwo, while describing the appointment as a reflection of Atiku’s leadership style, noted that the former vice president values dialogue and inclusiveness over resentment, adding: “Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems.”

    The former spokesman of Labour Party’s (LP) Peter Obi presidential campaign in the 2023 general elections, explained that discussions with Atiku and other ADC leaders had addressed his concerns over the political interests of the Southeast within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and prevailing political realities. 

    He expressed gratitude to former ADC national chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, Kashim Imam and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Ekene Onwuka, for their contributions to strengthening the party ahead of the election.

    The latter day Obi critic also thanked his family, supporters and friends for their encouragement and prayers, saying: “I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria.”

    Okonkwo had a few weeks ago publicly criticised ADC’s choice of former minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as vice presidential candidate for the election, arguing that would further deepen the political marginalisation of the Southeast, making a veiled threat to withhold his support. 

     Meanwhile, an Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha has granted Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), leave to serve court processes on Okonkwo through substituted means after efforts to personally serve him failed.

    Justice D.A. Onyefulu reportedly made the order on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in suit No. O/229/2026, following an ex parte application filed by Obi.

    By the order, Obi was permitted to serve the writ of summons, accompanying court processes and all subsequent documents by pasting them at Okonkwo’s last known residential address at NPR 48 Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State, close to Ijeoma Fishing Company, or by delivering the documents to any adult found at the residence.

    The court also directed that the substituted service must be photographed and the evidence placed in the court’s file as proof of compliance with the order, and be carried out within seven days.

    The order followed an ex parte motion, supported by an affidavit, an affidavit of attempted service by the court bailiff, marked as Exhibit A, and a written address filed on June 26, 2026, brought pursuant to Sections 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and relevant provisions of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

    Court records showed that Chisom Ibemesi appeared as Counsel for Obi during the proceedings.

    Obi had filed the suit demanding N5billion in damages from Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements he made during a live television programme.

    The former Anambra State governor, through his lawyers, Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co., accused Okonkwo of making false allegations capable of damaging his reputation and public image.

    In a June 9 letter, addressed to Okonkwo, the lawyers demanded an immediate withdrawal of the statements, a public apology and a written undertaking against further publications.

    Okonkwo had alleged that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the Southeast demanded N10million from House of Representatives aspirants after they had paid the party’s official expression of interest fees, claiming to possess documentary evidence, including receipts, to support his allegation.

    The legal team also Okonkwo of alleging that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warning aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, travelled abroad to collect money from people and was involved in criminal activities alongside some party leaders, statements they described as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless and wholly unsupported by any fact.”

    Obi’s legal team demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements within seven days and publish an “unequivocal and unreserved” apology through the same channels where the comments were allegedly made and circulated, or face legal action.

    However, Okonkwo stuck to his guns, even after the aspirant he quoted to have related the incident during the NDC primary elections to him came on live television to deny ever saying such.