Chief Austin Usman Okai has demanded N2bn in compensation from the Kogi State Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Cybercrime, Mr Promise Emmanuel, over social media posts that his lawyers said contained allegations about a purported recorded conversation involving a serving senator.
The demand was contained in a letter dated Friday and signed by Jerry Mendos Maikano, Esq., of Marshal Attorneys, on behalf of Okai.
The lawyers demanded the immediate retraction of the publications, a public apology, and payment of N2bn as compensation over what they described as statements they considered defamatory.
According to the letter, Emmanuel, who allegedly uses the social media identity “Kogi Rebel”, made the disputed publications on Facebook and other platforms on September 20 and 21, 2026.
The letter said the publications alleged that Okai recorded and sold an audio conversation involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for hundreds of millions of naira and subsequently acquired a Mercedes-Benz and a 2025 Toyota Camry.
It further quoted one of the publications as referring to a “Kogi Comrade” who allegedly recorded a conversation with a top politician and sold it to another politician for hundreds of millions of naira.
Okai’s lawyers said the publications created an impression that their client had acted improperly and had benefited financially from the alleged transaction.
The letter stated that the publications had been circulated on Facebook, X, WhatsApp and other social media platforms, adding that their circulation had allegedly exposed Okai to public criticism, embarrassment and damage to his reputation.
The lawyers disputed the allegations and maintained that they were unsupported by facts.
They also questioned references in the publications to the alleged purchase prices of the vehicles, stating that Emmanuel subsequently put the value of the Mercedes-Benz at between N35m and N40m and that of the Toyota Camry at about N25m.
The letter further referred to another alleged publication in which Emmanuel was said to have indicated that he would provide additional information concerning the recorded-conversation issue and invited the parties involved to engage with him.
Okai’s lawyers argued that the publications were made without adequate verification and said their client had suffered reputational and emotional consequences as a result.
The letter cited Nigerian judicial authorities on defamation and stated that a publication may attract legal liability where the necessary elements of the relevant cause of action are established. It also referred to Nigerian case law concerning publication to a third party as an element that may be relevant in establishing a claim for libel.
The lawyers said Okai’s reputation was significant in view of his activities as an activist, politician, community leader and philanthropist.
They consequently demanded the removal and retraction of the disputed publications and a written public apology on all platforms where the statements were allegedly published.
They also requested that the apology be given similar prominence and circulation as the original publications, including publication in two national newspapers.
In addition, the lawyers demanded N2bn as compensation for what they described as emotional distress and damage to their client’s reputation.
They also sought a written undertaking from Emmanuel that he would not publish further statements concerning Okai which could give rise to similar legal claims.
The letter gave Emmanuel three days from the date of receipt to comply with the demands.
The lawyers said that failure to comply would result in legal action before the appropriate High Court.
According to the letter, the proposed action would include a claim for N5bn in exemplary and aggravated damages, injunctive relief and other remedies available under the law.
The lawyers also reserved Okai’s right to seek any further reliefs arising from the disputed publications.
The allegations contained in the demand letter have not been tested or determined by a court. Emmanuel’s reported statements, the legal claims made by Okai and his lawyers, and any defence that may be presented remain subject to determination through the appropriate legal process.
