Peter Obi faces N50bn defamation suit, given 7-day ultimatum to apologize

The National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, has demanded a public retraction, apology and N50 billion in compensation from Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over an alleged defamatory statement made during a podcast interview.

The demand was made in a letter issued by Neplus Ultra Attorneys and signed by Anderson U. Asemota, Peter O. Asimegbe and Stanley C. Eziefulle, on behalf of Arabambi.

The letter said that the legal action stems from comments allegedly made by Obi during an interview, where he was said to have stated that Arabambi “does not have an address”.

According to Arabambi’s legal team, the statement was false, malicious and defamatory, contending that it portrayed their client as a faceless individual, lacking legitimacy, credibility and standing in public life.

They stressed that the interview was subsequently circulated across television stations and multiple digital platforms, thereby exposing their client to widespread public ridicule.

“Our Client has had a known residential and business address, maintains professional and political affiliations within Nigeria and has never been a person whose whereabouts or identity were unknown,” the letter read.

According to the letter, the publication damaged Arabambi’s reputation and subjected him to embarrassment and public ridicule.

“We demand an unreserved public apology to be broadcast on national television and published on Obi’s verified social media platforms, as well as full-page apologies in the national dailies.

“In addition, we demand the payment of N50 billion, as compensation for injury to our client’s reputation, dignity, political standing and public image,” the lawyers wrote.