Court Bars IGP From Arresting Nedu Wazobia

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the inspector-general of police (IGP) from arresting, detaining, or interrogating popular on-air personality, Chinedu Ani, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, over an allegation of breach of contract.

Justice Dipeolu granted the interim order after listening to an ex-parte application filed by Nedu and five others who sought protection for their fundamental rights.

The judge specifically barred the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Alagbon, and other officers from summoning or detaining the applicants over a dispute with the Metropolitan School of Business management.

However, the judge refused to grant a second relief to compel the police to maintain the status quo concerning all matters related to the transactions between the parties.

Other respondents in the suit are Victor Ariyibi-Oke, Mrs. Tolulope Ariyibi-Oke, CSP Ngozi Braide, ASP Stephen Onihane, and Inspector Echeng Julius.

Other applicants besides Nedu include Sarah Williams-Konha, Avalon Okpe, Ada Okpe, Barbara Okwaranobi, and Tokindrumz Pictures and Media Nigeria Ltd.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, the applicants claimed they partnered with the respondents in early 2024 for an educational charity initiative to raise school fees for underprivileged students.

They averred that the project included a high-profile fundraising gala, which the respondents had agreed to sponsor at an estimated cost of over N83 million.

The applicants also stated that despite the successful event in March 2024, which generated both pledges and cash donations, the respondents allegedly demanded a refund of N60 million without justification.

They alleged that after the breakdown of their partnership, the respondents petitioned the police, resulting in repeated summons and alleged harassment of the applicants.

The applicants stated that some of them were unlawfully detained in July 2025, while others had their passports seized by the police.

They insisted the dispute was purely contractual and should not have prompted a criminal investigation.

In their motion, they requested the court to declare the police actions unlawful, unconstitutional, and an abuse of power.

They also sought an order requiring the police to return their seized passports and to prevent further harassment regarding the contractual dispute.

Additionally, they are demanding N2 billion in damages against the respondents for the alleged infringement of their fundamental rights.