Peter Obi Sues Deji Adeyanju in ₦1.5 Billion Defamation Case Filed in Anambra

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, has filed a ₦1.5 billion defamation suit against human rights activist and social commentator, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, over a series of alleged defamatory posts made on social media.

The lawsuit, numbered 0/254/25, was filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division, with Obi as the plaintiff and Adeyanju as the defendant. According to the writ of summons issued by Obi’s counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), the former governor is seeking ₦500 million in aggravated damages and ₦1 billion in general damages for what he described as false, malicious, and damaging statements published across Adeyanju’s social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

In his statement of claim, Obi described the publications as “false, baseless, malicious, scandalous, and defamatory,” alleging that Adeyanju’s remarks—calling him a “religious bigot,” “fraud,” “political prostitute,” and “leader of a mob”—had gravely harmed his personal, political, and professional reputation both within Nigeria and internationally.

The former governor is seeking a court declaration that Adeyanju’s statements are defamatory, as well as an order compelling the activist to publish a full, unreserved apology across all his social media handles and in at least three national newspapers. Obi is also asking the court to direct Adeyanju to delete all offending posts and to permanently restrain him from making further defamatory statements.

In addition to damages, Obi is requesting reimbursement for litigation and professional fees, along with an order mandating 18% annual interest on the judgment sum from the date of judgment until full payment. The writ, dated October 3, 2025, was issued from the High Court Registry in Onitsha and served on Adeyanju at his residence in Wuse II, Abuja.

The lawsuit stems from statements Adeyanju made both online and during media appearances. On August 29, 2025, Adeyanju alleged in an interview on Channels Television that Obi had attempted to offer him money during the buildup to the 2023 general elections—an offer he claimed to have rejected. He also accused Obi’s supporters, known as “Obidients,” of engaging in online harassment and toxicity during the election season.

In the same interview, Adeyanju criticised Obi’s political journey, describing him as “a political fraud parading himself as a messiah,” and accused him of inconsistency for leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after previously vowing not to.

Adeyanju has maintained that his statements were factual and has challenged Obi to proceed with the defamation case, asserting that “truth remains a valid defence in any defamation matter.”