Nigeria, June 25 -- The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has finally filed a N5 billion lawsuit against his former ally and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, for alleged defamation.

Mr Obi filed the lawsuit at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court on Thursday.

Mr Okonkwo, while appearing as a guest on a Channels TV programme, accused Mr Obi of defrauding and extorting N10 million from NDC House of Representatives aspirants and also manipulating the results of the party's primary election.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had threatened to file a lawsuit against Mr Okonkwo if he failed to withdraw his allegations against him,...