OWERRI — Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, has instituted a multi-billion naira defamation lawsuit against veteran actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo.
The legal action demands an immediate retraction, a public apology published in national newspapers, and five billion naira (₦5,000,000,000) in damages over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television broadcast on June 8, 2026.
According to the writ of summons filed by Udenwa’s legal team, Okonkwo made highly disparaging, unsubstantiated, and malicious statements concerning the former governor’s administration and his subsequent political engagements. The plaintiff maintains that the comments were deliberately designed to assassinate his character, ruin his long-standing reputation, and lower his standing among members of the public.
During the controversial interview, Okonkwo had heavily criticized past leaders in the South-East region, making specific references to governance templates and political choices that Udenwa’s legal representatives claim are completely false and defamatory.
“Our client has maintained an unblemished record of public service both during and after his tenure as governor,” a source from the legal team stated. “We will not allow reckless commentary on public television to destroy a hard-earned reputation for cheap political points.”
Okonkwo’s legal representatives are expected to file their defense within the statutory period as the legal battle moves to the high court, a development that political analysts say will widen ongoing fractures within political networks ahead of upcoming electoral preparations.
