Court restrains Sowore from publishing defamatory contents against IGP Egbetokun

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Life Camp, Abuja, presided by Hon. Justice J.O.E Adeyemi-Ajayi, has granted an interim injunction restraining Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters from further publishing defamatory contents and other related matters deemed defamatory against the Inspector General of Police, IGP Dr Kayode Egbetokun.

According to the enrolled court order, the ruling followed an ex parte motion for Interim Injuction under reference M/2035/2026 dated the 10th day of February, 2026, and filed on the 11th day of February, 2026, by the Claimant/Applicant through his Counsel, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN.

The motion was 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 the Honourable Court.

The Court granted the interim injunction and ordered that, “The first and second defendants/ respondents (Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters Ltd) jointly and severally, including their privies, servants, agents and assigns, or anyone acting through them from publishing defamatory and derogatory statements on Sahara Reporters or any other media outfit against the Motion on Notice.”

Similarly, the court in Suit No. CV/593/26; Motion no. M/2033/2026 and Suit No. CV/592/26; Motion No. 2031/2026 restrained the first and second defendants/ respondents (Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters Ltd) jointly and severally, including their privies, servants, agents and assigns, or anyone acting through them, from publishing defamatory and derogatory statements on Sahara Reporters or any other media outfit against Mr. Victor Egbetokun and ACP Bukola Kuti.

The court also restrained the defendants, their agents, privies, or assigns from further publishing or stating degrading and defamatory statements against the Claimant/Applicant touching on the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

The matter was, however, adjourned till the 14th day of April, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.

While reacting to the Court Order, the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the step has to be taken to protect the integrity of the office and person of the IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

According to him, “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.”