A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order preventing activist Omoyele Sowore and the online news platform Sahara Reporters from making additional publications concerning the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, his office, or members of his family until a defamation lawsuit before the court is determined.
The ruling was delivered by Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi, who granted the temporary injunction pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
The order effectively stops the defendants from circulating further materials related to the subject of the suit while legal proceedings continue.
In particular, the court restrained the defendants from publishing content described as defamatory and damaging to the reputation of Victor Egbetokun, the son of the police chief.
Among the allegations referenced in the proceedings is a claim that he received N100 million from security votes allocated by the Anambra State Government.
Court documents show that the decision followed an ex parte application filed by the claimant through his lawyer, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN. The motion seeking interim relief was dated February 10 and officially submitted to the court on February 11, 2026.
The application was anchored on Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Order 30 Rule 3 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025. It was also brought under the inherent powers of the court to grant such reliefs where deemed necessary.
After listening to arguments presented by counsel to the claimant, the court found merit in the request and granted the interim injunction pending the full hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The matter has subsequently been adjourned to April 14, 2026, when the court is expected to continue proceedings on the case.
Part of the enrolled court order states: “This enrolled court order is consequent upon hearing Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, counsel for the claimant/applicant, who moved the motion ex parte for interim injunction under reference M/2035/2026, dated the 10th day of February, 2026 and filed on the 11th day of February 2026.
“The motion is brought pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Order 30 Rule 3 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, praying this Honourable Court for the orders as contained on the motion paper.”
The order further declares: “The defendants/respondents, its servants or agents, privies or any person or authority deriving power and instruction from them 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.”
The interim injunction comes amid allegations that Sowore and Sahara Reporters disseminated “degrading and derogatory” materials aimed at the Inspector-General of Police and his son, prompting the filing of the defamation action now before the court.
What You Should Know
The court’s decision is temporary and will remain in effect until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
The ruling does not resolve the substantive defamation claims but restricts further related publications while the legal process unfolds.
The case is scheduled to resume on April 14, 2026.
