Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has commenced legal proceedings against prominent activist Deji Adeyanju over allegations of defamation.
The move follows a series of social media posts by Adeyanju that Obi claims are damaging to his character. Through his legal representative, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi alleges that Adeyanju has been publishing false and malicious statements about him on platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
According to a formal demand letter from Obi's legal team, the activist is accused of consistently publishing content that wrongly characterizes Obi as corrupt, fraudulent, and intolerant on religious grounds. These publications, some allegedly made as far back as 2022, are said to be designed to harm Obi's reputation both within Nigeria and internationally.
Specific examples referenced in the letter include claims that Obi misappropriated state funds from Anambra during his tenure as governor for the benefit of family-owned enterprises. Additionally, Adeyanju alleged that Obi offered him a bribe following a private encounter and employed religious tactics to influence voters in the last presidential race. Obi's lawyers have firmly denied all these accusations, labeling them as entirely fabricated and malicious.
The legal notice also objects to Adeyanju referring to Obi with derogatory terms such as "the leader of a mob" and "a scum," statements which are argued to be intended to paint him as an anarchist and a divisive personality.
Obi's legal counsel has demanded that Adeyanju immediately remove all related defamatory content from his social media accounts. Furthermore, they have requested that he issue a comprehensive public apology across those same platforms and in three major national newspapers.
The letter concludes with a seven-day ultimatum for Adeyanju to comply with these demands. Failure to do so will result in a formal lawsuit being filed against him, seeking significant financial damages for defamation, a legal injunction to prevent further publications, and the coverage of all associated court expenses.
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