Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages from lawyer and politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory comments made during a television interview.
In a letter dated June 11, 2026, Udenwa’s lawyers accused Okonkwo of making false and malicious statements about their client during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.
According to the letter, Okonkwo had alleged that “Oyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of South East caucus were busy extorting the South East aspirants.”
The legal team, led by Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN), described the statement as “false, malicious and highly defamatory,” insisting that it portrayed Udenwa as someone who abused public office for personal gain.
The lawyers maintained that Udenwa, who served two terms as governor of Imo State and later as a minister of the Federal Republic, has never been accused or convicted of corruption, embezzlement, extortion or any related offence.
“The publication has exposed our client to public odium, ridicule and contempt and has greatly diminished his reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of society,” the letter stated.
The legal practitioners further argued that the allegation was broadcast to a national and international audience and subsequently circulated by various media organisations, thereby causing significant reputational damage.
Udenwa’s lawyers are demanding a written apology, publication of the apology in five national newspapers, a retraction and apology on Channels Television during prime time, and an undertaking that Okonkwo would refrain from making similar statements in the future.
They also demanded the payment of ₦5 billion as compensation for the alleged injury caused to the former governor’s reputation.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would leave their client with no option but to institute legal proceedings.
“We have our client’s instruction to commence legal action against you in a court of competent jurisdiction in Imo State for the recovery of the sum of ₦5 billion as damages and for appropriate injunctive reliefs,” the lawyers stated.
As of the time of filing this report, Kenneth Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the demand letter.
