Court bars Sowore, Sahara Reporters from publishing alleged defamatory stories on IGP, son, ACP

2026-02-19 - 19:27

By Efe Onodjae The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Life Camp, Abuja, has restrained human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and online news platform, Sahara Reporters, from further publishing alleged defamatory materials against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, his son, Victor Egbetokun, and a senior Police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Bukola Kuti. The interim injunction was granted on Wednesday by Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi in three separate suits marked CV/592/26, CV/593/26 and CV/594/26. The enrolled court order, which was made available to Vanguard by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, followed ex-parte motions dated February 10 and filed February 11, 2026, by counsel to the claimants, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN. The claimants in the suits are ACP Bukola Kuti; Mr. Victor Egbetokun; and the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. Moving the applications, Ogunleye urged the court to restrain the defendants from further publishing what he described as defamatory and derogatory statements pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice. Ruling on February 18, Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi held that the defendants, jointly and severally, including their agents, privies and assigns, are restrained from further publishing or causing to be published defamatory statements against the claimants pending the determination of the substantive applications. In Suit No. CV/593/26 filed by Victor Egbetokun, the court specifically restrained the defendants from publishing allegations that he received N100 million from Anambra State security votes, pending the hearing of the motion on notice. Likewise, in Suit No. CV/592/26, the court barred further alleged defamatory publications against ACP Bukola Kuti in respect of the subject matter of the suit. In Suit No. CV/594/26 filed by the IGP, the court restrained the defendants, their servants, agents or any person deriving authority from them, from making any publications concerning the claimant, his office and/or family members relating to the subject matter of the suit, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi adjourned the matters till April 14, 2026, for hearing of the motions on notice. The orders were issued under the seal of Court No. 38 of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja.