EX-IMO GOVERNOR ACHIKE UDENWA SLAMS KENNETH OKONKWO WITH N5 BILLION DEFAMATION SUIT OVER TV COMMENTS

Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, has filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against lawyer, politician, and Nollywood actor Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division. The Writ of Summons, dated 24th July 2026 under Suit No. HOW/ /2026, was officially served outside jurisdiction to Okonkwo at his residence in Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State.

​According to court filings submitted by Udenwa's legal team, Chief Soronnadi Njoku, SAN & Co, the legal action stems from statements Okonkwo allegedly made on 8th June 2026 during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program. In the broadcast—which was subsequently published on Channels TV’s YouTube channel under the title "Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Peter Obi, Condemns NDC Primaries" and amplified across Okonkwo’s verified social media pages—Okonkwo accused South-East leaders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), including Udenwa, of extorting South-East aspirants during party candidate nominations.

​Udenwa, a Chartered Accountant who served as Governor of Imo State from 1999 to 2007 and Minister of Commerce and Industry from 2008 to 2010, strongly denied the accusations in his statement of claim. He emphasized that he holds no executive role in the NDC, played no part in candidate nomination processes for the 2027 general elections, and has never met with other cited leaders to extort party aspirants. Asserting that he has maintained an unblemished career record free of EFCC or ICPC investigations, Udenwa stated that the false allegations caused immense damage to his personal integrity, credit, and political standing while triggering distressed calls from associates worldwide.

​Consequently, the former governor is seeking a court declaration that Okonkwo's comments were false, malicious, and defamatory, alongside N5 billion in general damages. He is also requesting a court order directing Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology across Channels TV, three national daily newspapers, and his personal social media handles within 30 days, a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo from making further defamatory statements, and N25 million to cover legal representation fees. Under the court process, Okonkwo has been given 42 days from the date of service to enter an appearance or face judgment in default.