From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued an interim injunction restraining the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies as well as the chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas from interfering with the civic and political activities of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The ex parte order, made in Motion No. M/481/2026, an offshoot of substantive suit No. FCT/HC/CV/153/2026, was granted by Justice K. Agunioye.
It barred the affected authorities from sealing, blocking or disrupting rallies, meetings, campaigns or processions organised by Ugochinyere and his supporters anywhere in Ideato or across Imo State.
The judge made the order after reading the affidavit in support of the application, the attached exhibits and an affidavit of extreme urgency sworn to by Anderson Achike, and after listening to Ibukunoluwa Thompson, counsel to the applicant, who moved the motion.
The motion was filed by Chizubor Ezike, counsel to the claimant/applicant, against the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Governor of Imo State, the Imo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (IMSAA), the chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South LGAs, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State and the Director of the SSS in the state, among others.
The court specifically restrained the defendants, their agents and anyone acting on their behalf from stopping, denying access to, sealing off or otherwise preventing Ugochinyere and his supporters from using venues for peaceful rallies, processions, meetings, campaigns and other lawful civic activities within the federal constituency and elsewhere in Imo State.
It also restrained the defendants from destroying, dismantling, defacing or removing billboards and signage installed by the lawmaker across the constituency, or providing security cover for such acts.
The development followed concerns over attempts to disrupt venues linked to the lawmaker and his supporters, including meetings and rallies of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Ruling on a preliminary objection, the court rejected the Imo State Government’s application to vacate the injunction, allowing the protective orders to subsist. The matter was adjourned to November for further hearing.
(The Sun)