Court Bars Kennedy Okonkwo, Others from Publishing Defamatory Posts on Hampton Estate Dispute

Justice T.B. Sunmonu of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tapa has granted an interim injunction restraining prominent real estate developer Kennedy Okonkwo, his company Capital Gardens Limited, and media personality Azuka Francisca Ogujiuba from further publishing or republishing allegedly defamatory statements targeting Ikenna Jideofor and Adewale Oladapo.

The interim injunction, which is to last for 14 days from the date of the order, was granted pending compliance with pre-action protocols, the filing of the substantive suit, and the hearing and determination of any motion for an interlocutory injunction.

The court barred the defendants from disseminating further versions 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 made the order after being satisfied that there was real urgency in the matter and that irreparable harm could occur if the reliefs sought were not granted.

The court also held that granting the injunction was in the interest of justice.

The suit was instituted by Ikenna Jideofor Ogbu and Premium Homes and Property Consultant Ltd (the Claimants/Applicants) through their counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, in Suit No. LD/5250CMW/2025.

In the ex parte motion, brought pursuant to Orders 42 and 43 of the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, and the Expeditious Disposal of Civil Cases Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019, the applicants sought multiple reliefs.

Among the orders granted by the court were: “An interim injunction restraining the defendants and their agents or privies from further publishing or causing to be republished the alleged defamatory statements mentioned above.

“An order compelling the defendants to retract all defamatory posts made against the claimants on social media and electronic platforms, particularly on the third defendant’s Instagram handle, @mediaroomhub.

“An order directing service of the interim injunction through publication in two widely circulated national newspapers and on all electronic and social media platforms where the defamatory publications appeared.

The orders are to remain in force for 14 days, inclusive of the date the ruling was delivered.