The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has granted 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.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The order, issued 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 published materials that damaged Ubaniâs professional reputation.
Justice Bature, after considering Ubaniâs ex parte motion (No. FCT/HC/M/16245/2025) filed on December 4, 2025, and supported by an affidavit deposed to by Susan Nwenna Nwaze, granted the following orders:
- Interim Restraint: The defendants, their agents, privies, or anyone acting on their behalf are restrained from issuing any further publications considered derogatory against Ubani pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
- Status Quo Maintenance: All parties are directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
- Substituted Service: The court granted leave for substituted service of processes on the defendants:
- For Okenwa: By pasting court processes at her residence at No. 17 Tunde Ogbeha Street, Durumi II, Gudu, Abuja; by email to lokenwa@yahoo.co.uk; and via WhatsApp to 08069819916.
- For Jaja: By serving at House 475B, Crescent off 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja; by email to tonyejaja@gmail.com; and via WhatsApp to 09056760119.
The case has been adjourned to December 16, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice. Ubani was represented in court by Sir N. S. C. Okoro, Esq.
Court OrderAlthough details of the allegedly defamatory publications remain undisclosed pending further proceedings, observers say the suit likely stems from recent articles in Law and Society Magazine and statements by the defendants that Ubani claims have caused serious harm to his reputation as a human rights advocate.
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