The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has restrained the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Imo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, IMSAA, and other authorities from destroying, removing or vandalising billboards belonging to the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu.
Justice Kayode Agunloye made the interim orders on July 20, 2026, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/153/2026 and Motion No. M/481/2026 filed by Ugochinyere.
The defendants in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force; Inspector-General of Police; State Security Service, SSS; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; Governor of Imo State; Imo State Signage and Advertisement Agency; Chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas; Commissioner of Police, Imo State; Director, SSS, Imo State Command; and the NSCDC, Imo State Command.
The court restrained the Imo State Government, IMSAA and the Chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas, whether by themselves, agents, officers, staff or however described, from enforcing or implementing a letter dated June 15, 2026, or any similar directive restricting the number of Ugochinyere’s billboards within Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
Specifically, the court restrained the authorities from limiting the lawmaker’s billboards to six or to any other number within his constituency pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
Justice Agunloye also restrained the security agencies joined in the action from providing security cover to any person, agency or entity seeking to destroy, dismantle, deface, cut down, remove or demolish any signage or billboard installed by Ugochinyere across Ideato North and South Federal Constituency or elsewhere in Imo State pursuant to the June 15 letter or any similar directive.
The order effectively bars the affected state authorities and security agencies from taking further action against Ugochinyere’s campaign and political billboards pending the determination of his substantive application for interlocutory injunction.
The court also restrained the affected authorities from sealing, disrupting or interfering with Ugochinyere’s meetings, campaigns, rallies, processions and venues within Ideato and other parts of Imo State pending further proceedings in the matter.
The lawmaker had approached the court seeking protection against actions allegedly capable of interfering with his political activities, campaign materials, meetings and public engagements.
Justice Agunloye further granted an accelerated hearing of the suit.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 28, 2026, for hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
The interim orders are to remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the application before the court.
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