Deji Adeyanju Vs Peter Obi: Rights Activist Finally Announces Action Taken Against Him

Deji Adeyanju Vs Peter Obi: Rights Activist Finally Announces Action Taken Against Him

  • Labour Party’s Peter Obi officially filed a lawsuit against activist Deji Adeyanju for alleged defamatory social media posts
  • Confirming the suit, Adeyanju said he was “relieved” Obi went ahead, vowing to prove his claims in court and calling the case “entertaining"
  • The case, to be heard in Anambra, could test Nigeria’s limits on free speech and defamation as both public figures prepare for a high-profile legal showdown

Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has confirmed that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has officially filed a lawsuit against him over alleged defamatory statements.

Adeyanju in a post said he was “relieved” that Obi had finally gone ahead with the court action after weeks of anticipation.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, reveals an action taken against him by Peter Obi amid an ongoing rift.
Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and lawyer, discloses what Peter Obi does to him as their rift deepens. Photo credit: @PeterObi/@adeyanjudeji
Source: Twitter

The post made on X (formerly Twitter), said:

“Finally, Peter Obi has sued me. I am actually happy and relieved that he didn’t chicken out in the end,” Adeyanju wrote.

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“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,” he added.

Background to the legal dispute

The development comes weeks after Obi’s legal team, led by Alex Ejesieme and Co., issued a letter threatening to sue Adeyanju for allegedly publishing defamatory statements across X and Facebook.

According to the letter, Adeyanju made several posts where he described Obi as “a religious bigot, a fraud, a product of bad upbringing, scum, and a thief.”

Obi’s lawyers argued that such remarks were “false, malicious and intended to tarnish” the former governor’s reputation both in Nigeria and abroad.

Obi demands apology and post retraction

The legal notice demanded that Adeyanju delete all the allegedly defamatory posts and issue an unreserved public apology across his social media platforms as well as in three national newspapers.

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Failure to comply, the letter warned, would result in immediate legal proceedings.

Adeyanju responds with defiance

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju opens up on Peter Obi’s recent action against him as tensions persist.
Deji Adeyanju, human rights activist and lawyer, shares details of Peter Obi’s move against him amid their dispute. Photo credit: Deji Adeyanju
Source: Twitter

In his earlier response to the notice, Adeyanju had mocked the former presidential candidate, daring him to proceed with the court case.

“Peter Obi must sue me; he must not chicken out. His 7-day ultimatum expires today. Where are the court processes? It ends today,” Adeyanju had written in a previous post.

Adeyanju, who convenes the civil rights group Concerned Nigerians, is known for his outspoken commentary on politics and governance.

Although he once supported Obi, he has in recent months criticised his leadership style and questioned his political ideals.

Legal battle set to unfold

The case, which will reportedly be heard in Anambra state, is expected to attract significant public attention given both men’s prominence in Nigeria’s political and civil society spaces.

Observers say the case could test the boundaries between free expression and defamation in Nigeria’s online political discourse.

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VDM, Adeyanju unfollow each other

Previously, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian social media activist Verydarkman and his lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, trended online after unfollowing each other on Instagram.

A screenshot from their pages confirmed that the two stopped following each other, leading to reactions from their respective followers online.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a Reuters-certified journalist with over 5 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos. Currently, he is the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng, where he brings his expertise to provide incisive, impactful coverage of national events. Ezra was recognized as Best Campus Journalist at the Anchor University Communications Awards in 2019 and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944

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