Court Bars Kennedy Okonkwo from Publishing Alleged Defamatory Posts

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tapa has granted an interim injunction restraining real estate developer Kennedy Okonkwo, his company Capital Gardens Limited, and media personality Azuka Francisca Ogujiuba from publishing or republishing alleged defamatory statements against Ikenna Jideofor and Adewale Oladapo.

Justice T.B. Sunmonu granted the order following an ex parte application filed by Jideofor and Premium Homes and Property Consultant Ltd in Suit No. LD/5250CMW/2025.

The injunction is to last for 14 days, pending the filing of a substantive suit and determination of any motion for interlocutory relief.

The court barred further dissemination of two publications dated May 23 and 28, 2025, titled: “Beware of Buying Hampton Estate from Ikenna Jideofor & Adewale Oladapo” and “Beware: Ikenna Jideofor of Premium Homes and Adewale Oladapo of Oretol are hurriedly building on lands they do not own.”

Justice Sunmonu held that there was real urgency and potential for irreparable harm, adding that granting the orders was in the interest of justice.

The applicants were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji. The motion was brought pursuant to Orders 42 and 43 of the Lagos High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019 and Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019 on Expeditious Disposal of Civil Cases.

The court also ordered:

• A retraction of the alleged defamatory posts, particularly those published on the third defendant’s Instagram handle, @mediaroomhub.
• Service of the court order through publication in two widely circulated national newspapers and on all online platforms where the original publications appeared.

The interim orders remain in effect for 14 days from the date of the ruling.