An FCT High Court on Tuesday restrained the Edo State Government from publishing any defamatory materials against businessman, Capt. Idahosa Okunbo and former National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Justice Suleiman Belgore (vacation judge) granted the order following an exparte application filed by Okunbo against the Edo State Attorney-General and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Crusoe Osagie.
Belgore, in granting the order stated that “This application upon a calm consideration of the 10-paragraph affidavit and the 9 exhibits attached and the arguments of counsel both orally and written is hereby granted as prayed.”
He then adjourned until Aug. 18 for hearing of the motion on notice.
The plaintiff, through his counsel, Mr Adedayo Adeshina, filed the exparte motion, marked M/9010/20.
He also prayed for an interim order restraining the Edo State Government whether acting through the 1st or 2nd defendant and their representatives or any other person howsoever described from publishing or circulating, “Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo governorship election” and other related defamatory publication by any means.
He further sought an order restraining the defendants by themselves or any other person from causing to be published, circulating, further publishing, reporting or publicising the publication captioned: “Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo governorship election” by any means whatsoever.
Okunbo further sought an order granting leave to him to effect service of the originating processes on the suit on the defendants by substituted means by publishing in a widely-circulated national daily newspaper and to deem same as good and proper service.
He further sought an order granting him leave to serve further and other processes in the suit on the defendants by substituted means by publishing same in a national daily newspaper until they cause appearance to be entered on their behalf.
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