Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, has filed a N5 billion defamation suit against lawyer, politician and Nollywood actor Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division.

The Writ of Summons, dated 24th July 2026 with Suit No. HOW/ /2026, was served outside jurisdiction to Okonkwo at Ofuluonu, Nsukka, Enugu State.

According to court documents, Udenwa is suing over statements Okonkwo allegedly made on 8th June 2026 during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

The specific comment quoted in the suit: “That is why the NDC has released a statement that it is only the South East caucus of the party that was involved in such problems. Onyema Ugochukwu, Achike Udenwa, Peter Obi and other leaders of South East caucus were busy extorting the South East aspirants.”

Udenwa, who is described in the filing as a Chartered Accountant, former Governor of Imo State from 1999-2007, and former Minister of Commerce and Industry from 2008-2010, says the statement was broadcast live, later published on Channels TV’s YouTube channel under the title “Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Peter Obi, Condemns NDC Primaries”, and further amplified on Okonkwo’s verified X account, Facebook and other platforms.

Udenwa, who pleads that he is currently a member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) with no executive role in the party, denies ever extorting any aspirant. The statement of claim states he was never accused of fraud, dishonesty or financial impropriety during his career, played no role in NDC’s 2027 candidate nomination process .

Also, he said that he has never met Onyema Ugochukwu or Peter Obi to “extort” South East aspirants or has not been charged by EFCC, ICPC, or any investigative agency.

He says the allegations caused him “great injury to his credit and reputation” and led to numerous calls from associates seeking explanations.

Udenwa is asking the court for a declaration that the statements are false, malicious, baseless and defamatory,

N5,000,000,000.00 in general damages for injury to reputation, character, integrity, and political standing , an order for Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels TV, its YouTube, and on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube plus 3 national daily newspapers within 30 days ,an order to delete and remove all related posts, videos and publications , a perpetual injunction restraining Okonkwo from further publishing similar allegations and N25,000,000.00 as counsel’s fees, plus costs.

Legal representation for the plaintiff, Chief Soronnadi Njoku, SAN & Co, declares Okonkwo has 42 days from service to enter appearance, or judgment may be given in his absence. (The Sun)

The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five others have been arrested and detained by the state Police Command following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The police said one of those arrested at the SSG’s residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.

This was disclosed by the Osun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo.

Ojelabi also said a total of N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, one photocopier and one printer were recovered from Igbalaye’s residence.

Others arrested alongside Igbalaye were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The PPRO said a police team, acting on intelligence that members of a criminal gang were hiding at a location in Osogbo, carried out a lawful raid and apprehended the suspects.

“The operation also led to the arrest of the following suspects: Hon Igbalaye Teslim ‘m’ 47years, One Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Oladele Abiodun ‘m’ 38years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.

“During the operation, officers recovered exhibits comprising cash sum of four million eight hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira (N4,810,500), one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Voter’s Cards and a voter register for Wards 1-15.

“These exhibits have been secured and are currently in police custody for detailed forensic examination and further investigation.

“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

“While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences, which may include:

“Bribery of voters (vote-buying), contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, arising from the alleged distribution of money or other inducements to registered voters for the purpose of influencing their voting decisions.

“Criminal conspiracy, where two or more persons are found to have agreed to commit an unlawful act.

“Harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, where any individual is found to have knowingly sheltered or assisted a fugitive from justice.

“Any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the statement read in part.

The command emphasised that the allegations against the suspects have far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice and the credibility of the democratic process.

“Accordingly, investigations are being intensified to identify all persons connected with the recovered exhibits, establish the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and determine the full extent of any criminal enterprise,” the statement added.

The Osun Command said no individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law, adding that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution.

It urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and ensuring peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral processes.

The Osun State Government, on Wednesday accused the state police command of invading the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, without a search warrant.

The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.

He also claimed that those the police met on the premises were arrested.

Alimi further alleged that the SSG’s residence was burst into by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

A Shari’ah court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or possible abduction on Wednesday after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack occurred around midday on Wednesday, when the armed men reportedly stormed the court premises, fired sporadically and demanded to know the whereabouts of the judge.

Residents told Daily Trust that Mohammed Muktar spotted the approaching gunmen from a distance and quickly escaped through a window moments before they reached the courtroom.

“The bandits entered the courtroom, shooting indiscriminately and repeatedly asking where the judge was. Fortunately, he had already escaped through the window, and a commercial motorcyclist helped him flee before they arrived,” a resident said.

Another eyewitness said the attackers became enraged after discovering that the judge had escaped and threatened to kill him if he ever returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.

The latest incident has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has repeatedly suffered attacks by bandits.

Police spokesperson in Katsina, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, could not be reached for comment as calls and text messages sent to him were not responded to. (Daily Trust)