News
Sukubo: Court Issues Order Against CAC, RG, others Over NYCN Deregistration Dispute
Cyril Ogar
A Federal High Court has issued an order directing the Corporate Affairs Commission, its Registrar-General, and other parties to maintain the status quo in the ongoing dispute over the alleged deregistration of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, following a suit filed by NYCN President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo.
It will be recalled that a few days after Sukubo was re-elected as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, despite ongoing court cases, the Corporate Affairs Commission, through the Ministry of Youth Development, announced on October 7 the deregistration of the apex youth organization.
Following this development, the NYCN President sought legal redress.
In a restraining order released to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on October 15, 2025, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2142/2025 before Justice B. F. M. Nyako, ordered that the status quo ante bellum be maintained and directed that the defendants be put on notice.
The claimants/applicants in the case are the Incorporated Trustees of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, who serves as the NYCN President as well as a member and secretary of its Board of Trustees.
Also, the defendants include the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission itself, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The Court has adjourned the case to October 28, 2025, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.
The Order read in part, “Upon this Motion Exparte dated and filed on the 8th day of October, 2025 seeking this Honourable Court for the following reliefs:- An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants (CAC and Registrar-General), whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, assigns or anybody howsoever described, from withdrawing the registration certificate of the 1 Claimant (Incorporated Trustees of NYCN) or from de-recognizing all existing claims to leadership, trusteeship and management within the 1st Claimant, pending the hearing and determination of the Claimant/Applicant’s Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants (Honourable Minister of Youth and Federal Ministry of Youth Development), whether themselves, their agents, privies, servants, assigns or anybody howsoever described, from acting on or giving any effect to the purported withdrawal of the 1 Claimant’s certificate of registration, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
“And for such further Order or Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit and expedient to make in the circumstances.
“Upon reading the affidavit in support of the Motion Exparte sworn to by Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, Male, Adult, Christian, and Nigerian citizen of 1st Floor, Block B, Room 106, Phase 1, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja together with written address, and exhibits, and filed at this Honourable Court Registry. And Upon Hearing Mustapha Shaba Ibrahim, SAN, with Sheriff S. Aduke, Esq. of Counsel for the Claimants/Applicants move the application in terms of the motion paper.
“It is hereby Ordered as follows: That this case is best taken on Notice. That status quo ante-bellum to be maintained. That Defendants to be put on Notice. That case is hereby adjourned to 28 October, 2025 for Motion on Notice.”
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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