Peter Obi Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Deji Adeyanju.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has initiated legal action against activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, accusing him of defamation. The lawsuit, filed through Obi’s legal representative, Alex Ejesieme, SAN, centres on a series of allegedly false and damaging statements made by Adeyanju on social media platforms, including X and Facebook.
According to a letter of demand issued by Obi’s legal team, Adeyanju is accused of repeatedly publishing malicious claims that portray the former Anambra State governor as corrupt, fraudulent, and a religious bigot. The statements, some of which date back to 2022, are said to have been designed to tarnish Obi’s reputation both in Nigeria and internationally. Among the specific allegations cited, Adeyanju claimed that Obi diverted Anambra State funds into family businesses, attempted to bribe him following a private meeting, and used religion to manipulate voters during the 2023 presidential campaign. Obi’s lawyers have described these assertions as “false, malicious, and contrived,” asserting that they lack any basis in truth.
The legal notice further alleges that Adeyanju referred to Obi as “the leader of a mob” and “a scum,” remarks intended to depict him as an anarchist and divisive figure. Obi’s team argues that these statements have caused significant harm to his reputation and integrity, with the widespread dissemination of the posts amplifying the damage. The former governor is demanding that Adeyanju retract all defamatory publications, issue a public apology on his social media platforms, and publish apologies in three national newspapers. The letter stipulates a seven-day deadline for compliance, failing which Obi will pursue a lawsuit seeking aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and recovery of legal costs.
In response, Adeyanju has dismissed Obi’s demands and expressed readiness to confront the matter in court. In a post on his official Facebook page, he described the lawsuit as laughable, reiterating his claims and accusing Obi of shielding his supporters from legal scrutiny in a separate dispute involving Adeyanju’s wife. “I laughed so hard. A fraud parading himself as a messiah,” Adeyanju wrote, standing firm on his allegations.
This legal battle marks the first time Obi has pursued a defamation lawsuit, a move that has sparked significant discussion on social media. The case has also reignited debates about the conduct of Obi’s supporters, known as “Obidients,” with Adeyanju previously criticising their approach as a factor in Obi’s 2023 electoral loss. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether Adeyanju complies with the demands or if the matter escalates to a courtroom showdown.
The lawsuit underscores the growing tension between public figures and activists in Nigeria’s charged political landscape, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech and the consequences of defamatory statements in the digital age.
