Lawyer Accused Of Defamation, Court Issues Contempt Notice

An Abuja-based law firm, Dynamic Option Chambers, has accused a lawyer and senior research fellow, Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, of publishing defamatory statements against Dr Monday O. Ubani (SAN) in violation of a subsisting court order.

The allegation was made in a press statement yesterday by Barrister Nkem Okoro, counsel to Ubani.

Okoro said Jaja published a statement linking Ubani’s name to an alleged criminal narrative without providing factual evidence.

He added that his client had no dealings with former attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), or with Jaja.

According to Okoro, the publication violated an interim court order restraining Jaja from making further derogatory statements against Ubani, pending the determination of a motion on notice.

He also stated that civil and criminal proceedings have been instituted against Jaja and are currently ongoing.

Meanwhile, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a notice of consequences (Form 48) to Jaja, warning that continued disobedience of its restraining order could amount to contempt of court.

The notice, dated January 12, 2026, was signed by the court registrar pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13 of the High Court Rules.

It warned that failure to comply with the order may result in committal to prison.

The notice follows an interim order granted by Justice S.U. Bature on December 9, 2025, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/4411/2025 between Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, and Barrister Lilian Okenwa and Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja.

The court restrained the defendants from making further publications considered derogatory against the claimant and ordered the maintenance of the status quo pending the determination of the motion.

As of the time of filing this report, Jaja had not responded to the allegations.