Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has officially filed a ₦1.5 billion defamation lawsuit against human rights activist and social commentator, Deji Adeyanju.
The legal action comes amid rising tensions between both men following a series of heated exchanges online. The feud reportedly began when Adeyanju took legal action against Obi’s media aide, Serah Ibrahim, accusing her of defaming his wife in a social media post. In response, Obi’s legal team stepped in to defend his associate, demanding that Adeyanju retract his statements and issue a public apology.
However, Adeyanju refused to comply, prompting Obi’s lawyers, Ejesimen & Co (Madiba Chambers, SAN), to initiate a defamation lawsuit. The legal representatives argue that Adeyanju’s public remarks not only tarnished Obi’s image but also constituted a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage his political reputation.
Details Of The Lawsuit
The suit, marked No. 0/254/25, was filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division, on October 3, 2025. According to documents attached to the filing, Peter Obi is seeking ₦500 million in aggravated damages and an additional ₦1 billion in general damages.
Furthermore, the lawsuit seeks a retraction of all defamatory statements, a formal apology published across national media outlets, and a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyanju from making any further defamatory publications about him.
The court documents allege that Adeyanju made multiple unsubstantiated claims suggesting that Peter Obi engaged in corrupt practices, which Obi’s camp insists are completely false and politically motivated. The filing emphasizes that such allegations have caused significant emotional distress and reputational harm to Obi both locally and internationally.
Deji Adeyanju Reacts To Lawsuit
Reacting to the lawsuit, Deji Adeyanju expressed enthusiasm rather than concern. In a post shared via his Facebook page, the activist stated that he was “happy and relieved” that Obi followed through with the legal action, claiming it would provide an opportunity to expose the former governor’s alleged misconduct in court.
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“Finally, Peter Obi has sued me. I am actually happy and relieved that he didn’t chicken out in the end. Interestingly, he dragged me all the way to Anambra State, even though he is almost always in Abuja where I reside.
But no shaking, we move. I will prove in court that Peter Obi is corrupt, a bigot, and a fraud. You will all be entertained, I promise,” Adeyanju wrote, doubling down on his earlier accusations and vowing to stand by them.
His post immediately sparked mixed reactions on social media, with supporters of both parties weighing in on the unfolding legal battle. While some hailed Obi for defending his integrity, others accused both men of turning political disagreements into personal vendettas.
As of now, neither Obi nor his legal representatives have issued additional public statements beyond the official court filings. The case is expected to draw significant attention when it comes up for hearing in Anambra State, given both figures’ prominence in Nigeria’s political and civic discourse.
Observers suggest that this lawsuit could set a major precedent for defamation cases involving public figures and activists in the country, potentially redefining how far freedom of expression can go in the realm of political commentary.
More updates on the case are expected to surface as both sides prepare their legal teams for what may become one of the most closely watched defamation suits in recent Nigerian political history.