Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has filed a ₦1.5 billion lawsuit against social media activist and political commentator, Deji Adeyanju, over a series of posts he described as “false, baseless, and defamatory.”
According to the writ of summons marked O/254/75, issued on October 3, 2025, by Obi’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Alex Ejesieme, the suit accuses Adeyanju of publishing malicious content about Obi on his verified X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
The former Anambra State governor is seeking a declaration that Adeyanju’s comments were “false, unfounded, malicious, reckless, scandalous, and defamatory.”
In the suit, Obi also demands that Adeyanju:
Issues a public apology and retracts all defamatory posts across his social media pages;
Publishes the apology in at least three national newspapers and on major television networks, including Channels TV, Arise News, and TVC News;
Deletes all posts in which he allegedly referred to Obi using derogatory terms such as “religious bigot,” “fraud,” “scum,” and “political prostitute.”
Furthermore, Obi is asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Adeyanju, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory statements against him.
He is also seeking ₦500 million in aggravated damages and ₦1 billion in general damages for alleged reputational harm, ridicule, and emotional distress. The suit also requests an 18 percent annual interest on the judgment sum until full payment, alongside the cost of litigation.
Adeyanju Reacts
Reacting to the lawsuit on his X account, Adeyanju confirmed the development, writing:
“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.”
The activist’s response suggests he is prepared to face the legal battle, which observers say could test the boundaries of free speech and political criticism in Nigeria’s online space.
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