Austin Usman Okai, a Kogi State activist, is demanding N2 billion in compensation from Promise Emmanuel, the Senior Special Assistant on Cybercrime to the Kogi State Government, over social media posts that his lawyers describe as false and damaging to his reputation. The demand was contained in a formal letter dated Friday, September 25, 2026, signed by Jerry Mendos Maikano of Marshal Attorneys, who represents Okai. The letter, obtained by Legit.ng, gives Emmanuel three days to comply or face a court claim of up to N5 billion.
Alleged Defamatory Posts and Their Content
According to the demand letter, Emmanuel, who operates under the social media name "Kogi Rebel," allegedly published the disputed content on Facebook and other platforms on September 20 and 21, 2026. The posts reportedly claimed that a "Kogi Comrade" had recorded a conversation with a top politician and sold it to another politician for hundreds of millions of naira. The posts further alleged that the individual subsequently purchased a Mercedes-Benz and a 2025 Toyota Camry with the proceeds.
Emmanuel reportedly later revised his estimate of the Mercedes-Benz to between N35 million and N40 million, and placed the value of the Toyota Camry at around N25 million. The lawyers described these publications as "false, malicious and grossly defamatory statements" made without verification and with reckless disregard for the truth. They argued that the posts portrayed Okai as "dishonest, fraudulent, corrupt" and unworthy of public trust, adding that the content had spread across Facebook, X, WhatsApp and other platforms, subjecting Okai to public ridicule and reputational harm.
Demands Include Apology, Retraction, and Compensation
Okai's legal team, in the letter, demanded the immediate removal of the posts and a written public apology published on every platform where the statements appeared. The apology is required to carry equal prominence, including publication in two national newspapers. The lawyers also demanded a written undertaking from Emmanuel that he would not publish further allegedly defamatory material about Okai.
Beyond the apology and retraction, the lawyers demanded N2 billion as compensation for emotional distress and reputational damage. The letter gave Emmanuel three days from receipt to comply. The lawyers said Okai's standing in public life makes the alleged damage particularly serious, citing his roles as an activist, politician, community leader and philanthropist.
Threat of N5bn Court Claim
Should Emmanuel fail to meet the demands within the stated timeframe, the lawyers warned they would proceed to the appropriate High Court with a claim that could reach N5 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages, alongside injunctive relief and other available legal remedies. The letter also reserved Okai's right to pursue additional reliefs connected to the alleged publications.
The lawyers also flagged a separate alleged publication in which Emmanuel reportedly said he would return with "comprehensive information" on the matter and invited the parties involved to negotiate with him, which they characterised as a deliberate assault on their client's character. The allegations contained in the demand letter have not been tested or determined by any court, and all legal claims remain subject to proof and any defence Emmanuel may choose to raise.
