Hon Usman Austin Okai has demanded N2bn in damages and a public apology from the Kogi State Government’s Senior Special Assistant on Cybercrime, Mr Promise Emmanuel, over alleged defamatory publications concerning a purported audio recording involving a serving senator.
The demand was contained in a letter dated Friday and signed by counsel to Okai, Jerry Mendos Maikano, Esq., of Marshal Attorneys.
In the letter, the lawyers demanded the immediate withdrawal and retraction of the alleged defamatory publications, a public apology and payment of N2bn as compensation for what they described as damage to their client’s reputation and emotional distress.
According to the letter, Emmanuel, who allegedly operates the social media identity “Kogi Rebel”, published the disputed statements on Facebook and other social media platforms on September 20 and 21, 2026.
The lawyers alleged that the publications linked Okai to the purported recording and sale of an audio conversation involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for hundreds of millions of naira.
They further alleged that the publications claimed Okai subsequently used the proceeds to acquire a Mercedes-Benz and a 2025 Toyota Camry.
One of the publications, according to the lawyers, referred to a “Kogi Comrade” who allegedly recorded a conversation involving a top politician and sold it to another politician for hundreds of millions of naira.
Okai’s lawyers contended that the publications created an impression that their client had participated in an improper transaction and derived substantial financial benefit from it.
They said the allegations were false and unsupported by facts, adding that the publications were widely circulated on Facebook, X, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
The lawyers maintained that the alleged publications subjected Okai to public criticism, embarrassment and reputational damage.
They also challenged references in the publications to the alleged values of the vehicles said to have been acquired by their client.
According to the letter, Emmanuel subsequently valued the Mercedes-Benz at between N35m and N40m, while putting the value of the Toyota Camry at approximately N25m.
The lawyers further referred to another alleged publication in which Emmanuel was said to have indicated his intention to provide additional information concerning the purported recorded conversation and invited the parties involved to engage with him.
Counsel argued that the publications were made without adequate verification and maintained that their client had suffered both reputational and emotional consequences as a result.
The letter cited Nigerian judicial authorities on defamation and argued that a publication could attract legal liability where the essential elements of the relevant cause of action were established.
It also cited Nigerian case law concerning publication to a third party as one of the elements that may be relevant in establishing a claim for libel.
The lawyers emphasised Okai’s public profile as an activist, politician, community leader and philanthropist, arguing that the alleged publications had the potential to cause significant damage to his reputation.
They consequently demanded the immediate removal and retraction of the disputed publications from all platforms on which they were allegedly circulated.
They also demanded a written public apology to Okai, insisting that the apology should be given prominence and reach comparable to that of the original publications.
The lawyers further requested that the apology be published in two national newspapers.
In addition to the demand for N2bn compensation, counsel sought a written undertaking from Emmanuel that he would refrain from publishing further statements concerning Okai that could give rise to similar legal proceedings.
The letter gave Emmanuel three days from the date of receipt to comply with the demands.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply would compel their client to institute legal proceedings before the appropriate High Court without further notice.
According to the letter, the proposed suit would include a claim for N5bn in exemplary and aggravated damages, injunctive relief and other remedies available under Nigerian law.
The lawyers also reserved Okai’s right to seek any additional reliefs that may arise from the disputed publications.
However, the allegations contained in the demand letter have not been tested or determined by any court. The reported statements attributed to Emmanuel, the claims made by Okai and his lawyers, and any defence that may be presented remain subject to determination through due legal process.
