By Helen Amadi
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a respected public advocacy practitioner and activist, has filed a landmark lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over what he describes as a “false, malicious, and nationally dangerous” publication. The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and marked FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, seeks ₦10 billion in general and exemplary damages, alongside a court-ordered public apology from the media outfit.
The legal action stems from a November 19, 2025 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.” Ogorry asserts that the report makes grave and unfounded allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle—claims he says are capable of inciting fear, fuelling insecurity, and undermining Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
According to court filings, the publication was widely circulated across the platform’s website, Facebook pages, X.com account, and WhatsApp networks. Ogorry argues that its content violates Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which restricts speech that threatens national security, as well as Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, which prohibit spreading false or harmful information.
He further accuses the defendants of endangering military operations in the North-West by promoting distrust and exposing the Defence Minister to potential risks. “This is not journalism—it is a reckless assault on national security,” Ogorry said, insisting that the allegations came from unverifiable sources and lack any official evidence.
The lawsuit seeks multiple declarations affirming the publication as false, malicious, and irresponsible, an injunction preventing further circulation, and a 14-day public apology across all Sahara Reporters platforms. Ogorry cites judicial precedents, including President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), to argue that freedom of expression does not protect content that jeopardizes national safety.
The case is expected to proceed in the Abuja Judicial Division, where Ogorry expresses strong confidence in the judiciary’s ability to reaffirm the balance between press freedom and national security.
