Austin Usman Okai demands N2bn over alleged defamation

Chief Austin Usman Okai has demanded N2bn in compensation, a public apology, and the immediate retraction of social media posts from Promise Emmanuel, the Kogi State Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Cybercrime.

Represented by Marshal Attorneys, Okai alleges that Emmanuel, who uses the social media identity ‘Kogi Rebel’, published defamatory statements on Facebook and other platforms on September 20 and 21, 2026. The posts claimed that Okai recorded and sold an audio conversation involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for hundreds of millions of naira, using the proceeds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz and a 2025 Toyota Camry.

Okai’s legal team maintains these allegations are unsupported by facts and have caused significant public embarrassment and reputational damage. They also contested the specific vehicle values mentioned in the publications.