A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the Imo State Government and security agencies to stay away from rallies and other political activities organised by Ugochinyere, the House of Representatives member for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
The interim order, issued by Justice Kayode Agunloye, also affects the chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas.
The judge made the order on July 20, 2026, after hearing an application filed by Ugochinyere in suit number FCT/HC/CV/153/2026.
Court documents obtained on Friday showed that the defendants were prohibited from interfering with billboards and other signages erected by the lawmaker in the two local government areas.
They were specifically restrained from “destroying, dismantling, defacing, cutting down or ordering for the removal and/or demolition” of the billboards.
The court also directed the defendants not to prevent Ugochinyere or his supporters from accessing locations where they intend to hold political meetings, rallies, campaigns and other peaceful gatherings.
They were barred from “stopping, barring, denying access to, sealing off or preventing the Claimant and/or his supporters” from using such venues.
Ugochinyere had taken the matter before the court through his lawyer, Chizubor Ezike, seeking protection against what he described in his application as interference with his political and civic engagements.
Those named as defendants include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Imo State Governor and the Imo State Signage and Advertisement Agency.
The chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South LGAs, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the state SSS director and the NSCDC command were also listed as defendants.
While delivering the order, Justice Agunloye said he had reviewed the affidavits, supporting documents and the affidavit of extreme urgency filed in support of the application.
The court directed the defendants to avoid any action that could hinder the lawmaker from carrying out his political and civic activities pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The order further stopped the defendants from “stopping the continued or further reinstallation of the billboards” and from preventing Ugochinyere and his supporters from holding “any civic activities, peaceful rally, procession, program, campaign, meetings or any event” within Ideato Federal Constituency or other parts of Imo State.
The court said such actions must not infringe on the lawmaker’s “inalienable rights to expression, peaceful assembly and movement.”
The judge also addressed a June 15 letter which reportedly sought to limit the number of Ugochinyere’s billboards to six.
The court stopped the relevant defendants from “giving effect to, enforcing, carrying out or implementing the letter dated 15th June, 2026 or any other such letter(s)” aimed at restricting his billboards.
They were also barred from offering security support to anyone attempting to remove or destroy the structures.
The court ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive case and directed that the necessary court documents be served on the defendants through their designated legal and administrative offices.
At the July 28 proceedings, the court noted that the respondents were still within the period allowed by law to respond to the case.
Ugochinyere’s lawyers subsequently asked the court to maintain the interim protection during the court vacation, arguing that the respondents had not been ready to proceed with the interlocutory injunction hearing.
Justice Agunloye granted the request and extended the order until the next adjourned date.
The matter has now been fixed for November 4, 2026, when the court is expected to hear the case.
