The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued an ex parte interim injunction restraining Barrister Lilian Okenwa, Editor-in-Chief of Law and Society Magazine, and Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja from making further derogatory publications against prominent Nigerian lawyer, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN.
The order, granted on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by Hon. Justice S. U. Bature of the Maitama Division, follows a defamation suit filed by Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/4411/2025, alleges that the defendants circulated materials that injured Ubani’s hard-earned professional reputation.
Key Highlights of the Court’s Orders
Justice Bature, after reviewing Ubani’s ex parte application (No. FCT/HC/M/16245/2025) filed on December 4, 2025, and supported by an affidavit sworn to by Susan Nwenna Nwaze, granted the following:
Interim Restraint:
The defendants, their agents, and privies are barred from issuing or disseminating any further publications considered derogatory of Ubani pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
Status Quo Order:
All parties are directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the court hears the motion on notice.
Substituted Service:
The court granted permission for substituted service of all processes as follows:
For Lilian Okenwa:
- By pasting processes at No. 17 Tunde Ogbeha Street, Durumi II, Gudu, Abuja;
- By email: lokenwa@yahoo.co.uk;
- By WhatsApp: 08069819916.
For Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja:
- By service at House 475B, Crescent off 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja;
- By email: tonyejaja@gmail.com;
- By WhatsApp: 09056760119.
The matter has been adjourned to December 16, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice. Dr. Ubani was represented by Sir N. S. C. Okoro, Esq.
While the specific contents of the alleged defamatory publications remain sealed pending further proceedings, legal observers link the lawsuit to recent articles published in Law and Society Magazine and public statements by the defendants which Ubani says have gravely harmed his reputation as a respected human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
NBA Queries Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja Over Alleged Unlawful Promotion of an “Illegal Privileged Rank”
