Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim order restraining the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from arresting, detaining, or interrogating popular on-air personality, Chinedu Ani, widely known as Nedu Wazobia, over an alleged breach of contract.
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The judge granted the order after hearing an ex-parte application filed by Nedu and five others, who sought the court’s protection of their fundamental rights.
Specifically, the order bars the IGP, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Alagbon, and other officers from summoning or detaining the applicants over a contractual dispute with the Metropolitan School of Business.
However, Justice Dipeolu declined to grant a further relief seeking to compel the police to maintain the status quo in relation to the transactions at the heart of the dispute.
Respondents and Applicants
The respondents in the suit include Victor Ariyibi-Oke, Mrs. Tolulope Ariyibi-Oke, CSP Ngozi Braide, ASP Stephen Onihane, and Inspector Echeng Julius.
Other applicants alongside Nedu are Sarah Williams-Konha, Avalon Okpe, Ada Okpe, Barbara Okwaranobi, and Tokindrumz Pictures and Media Nigeria Ltd.
Background of the Dispute
According to court filings, the applicants had partnered with the respondents in early 2024 on an educational charity initiative aimed at raising school fees for underprivileged students. The partnership included a high-profile fundraising gala estimated at over ₦83 million, held in March 2024.
The applicants alleged that despite the event’s success, the respondents later demanded a ₦60 million refund without justification. Following the breakdown of the partnership, the respondents reportedly petitioned the police, which led to repeated summons and alleged harassment.
They further claimed that some of them were unlawfully detained in July 2025, while others had their passports seized.
Reliefs Sought
The applicants argued that the dispute was purely contractual and should not have escalated into a criminal investigation. They therefore asked the court to:
Declare the police actions unlawful, unconstitutional, and an abuse of power.
Order the immediate return of their seized passports.
Restrain further harassment in relation to the contractual dispute.
Award ₦2 billion in damages for alleged infringement of their fundamental rights.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing in the coming weeks.
