Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, has reportedly initiated moves to take legal action against former Nollywood actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, over comments he considers defamatory and harmful to his reputation.
In a pre-action notice dated June 11, 2026, issued through his counsel, Chief Soronnadi A. Njoku, SAN, of Nnodim Njoku Chambers, Udenwa demanded a public apology, retraction of the alleged defamatory statements, and N5 billion in damages ahead of a possible lawsuit.
The dispute stems from comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, where he reportedly accused Udenwa, Oyema Ugochukwu, Peter Obi, and other South-East political leaders of exploiting aspirants from the region.
Udenwa’s legal team argued that the remarks portrayed him as being involved in unethical and dishonest conduct, thereby tarnishing his image. The lawyers emphasised his record as a former two-term governor of Imo State and former federal minister, noting that he has never been convicted of or linked to corruption allegations.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi Demands ₦5 Billion Damages from Kenneth Okonkwo Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks
The legal notice gave Okonkwo seven days to issue a public apology, publish a retraction in national newspapers, air the apology on television, and pay the requested compensation. It warned that failure to comply would result in legal proceedings seeking damages and other appropriate reliefs.
