Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday sought an injunction against an online news medium, Sahara Reporters, and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
The former guber candidate of the PDP in Lagos asked an Ikeja High Court in Lagos to grant its application because the defendants failed to show up in court.
Obanikoro sued Sahara Reporters and Punch for publishing a report that claimed he plotted to rig the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election along with some military officers.
The former Minister was represented in court by his lawyer, Kamoru Adebowale, who filed a Motion on Notice dated February 16, seeking an interlocutory injunction preventing the publication of offensive materials against him.
The claimant said he approached the court after the two news publications failed to stop the alleged malicious reports.
Though Sahara Reporters and Sowore were not represented in court, but Punch Newspapers Limited was represented by one Mrs Opeyemi Busari.
Obanikoro’s counsel told the court that, “I am sure that the hearing notices were served to the defendants, that is why Punch newspapers made an appearance. However the first and third defendants are yet to make an appearance.
“This case has commenced since February 2015, the defendants have continued to publish the offensive words.
“I pray that the order of interlocutory injunction be granted by this court. We are prepared to pay damages if in future, the order is deemed to be frivolous.”
However, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the matter till April 15 for ruling on the application.
