The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has granted interim injunctions restraining activist Omoyele Sowore and online platform Sahara Reporters from further publishing alleged defamatory statements against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and two other senior officers.
According to a report by Punch Nigeria Newspaper, the court orders were issued by Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi following separate ex parte motions filed by the claimants.
Securitynewsalert.com heard that court documents obtained by Punch Newspaper on Thursday indicated that the orders were granted on Wednesday, restraining the defendants from publishing or repeating what the court described as defamatory statements, including allegations that N100m was received from Anambra State security votes.
In Suit No. CV/593/26, filed by Victor Egbetokun, the court restrained the defendants from further publishing what it described as “defamatory and derogatory statements” against the claimant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The enrolled order specifically directed that the defendants were restrained from further publishing or stating “degrading and defamatory statements against the claimant/applicant that he received the sum of N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) from Anambra State security votes in Sahara Reporters and/or any other media outlet pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
In another case, Suit No. CV/594/26, instituted by the IGP, the court ordered that the defendants “are hereby restrained from making any publications concerning the claimant, his office and/or family members or on such other matters relating to the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Similarly, in Suit No. CV/592/26, ACP Bukola Kuti secured an interim injunction restraining the defendants from publishing alleged defamatory statements concerning her.
The court held that the defendants, “jointly and severally, including their privies, servants, agents and assigns, or anyone acting through them, are hereby restrained from publishing defamatory and derogatory statements pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
All three motions were moved by Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye (SAN) pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and relevant provisions of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025.
Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi adjourned the matters until April 14 for the hearing of the motions on notice.
Confirming the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the legal action became necessary due to repeated allegations against the police leadership.
He said, “This step had to be taken because the defendants, over time, have published a series of defamatory and derogatory claims based on fabricated falsehood against the person, office, immediate staff, members of the family of the Inspector General of Police, as well as the Nigeria Police Force.”
The court order has since generated mixed reactions from commentators on social media, with some backing the legal move while others raised concerns about freedom of expression and public scrutiny of officials.
One commentator, using the handle @mislaw178, wrote, “Lol.. Sowore is an OUTLAW, a serial violator. He will violate again (what he can’t do in America) until someone finally puts him away in Kuje or wherever, following the due process of law.”
Another user, @focus1030, supported the court’s action, saying, “This is a welcome development. For a long time, I had the impression that Omoyele Sowore was untouchable and above the law. It’s refreshing to see the law enforcement agents finally assert themselves and show that no one is above the law.”
However, several commentators criticised the order, arguing that public officials should remain open to scrutiny. A user identified as @Idara47 wrote, “You know what I am grateful for, no one remains in power forever, so you mean to say that citizens don’t have the right to call a public office holder who is working for the people out of the do anything wrong, Nigeria is gone.”
Another commentator, @kingkhone4real, said, “Leave Sowore alone and focus on securing the nation. Sowore is an excellent comrade and an attention seeker.”
Similarly, @saintcross009 questioned the court process, stating, “I won’t be surprised to see a judge in Nigeria issue an exparte order to stop a defendant from breathing natural air pending the determination of his case.”
Others raised concerns about restricting reporting on public officials. @Donmeca wrote, “So the defendants should stop publishing any news concerning the IGP, his office, staff and family even when they actually MAKE the news??”
Another user, @bravemoni, commented, “What’s defamatory about calling a spade a spade? So you people now use the court to gag public criticism and scrutiny.”
The case is expected to return to court on April 14, when the court will hear the motions on notice. #https://securitynewsalert.com/
