By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State – July 25, 2025
The High Court of Mbaise Judicial Division, sitting in Ahiazu Mbaise, has issued an interim injunction stopping a proposed parallel National Convention of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, originally set to take place in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on July 26, 2025.
Presiding over the matter, Honourable Justice Mike Onyekachi granted the restraining order on Friday following an ex-parte motion filed by the Registered Trustees of NBM of Africa, alongside Chief Olorogun Ese Kakor and Ikechi Opara, the organization’s Mbaise Zonal Coordinator.
The court order restrains seven defendants—Bemigho Eyeoyibo, Akeem Zibiri, Barr. Isimeme Jesse Iriogbe, Hope Aliyu, Dr. Anthony Orunkoya (a.k.a. Tony Masaka), the State Security Services (SSS), and the Nigeria Police Force—from organizing, attending, or supporting the disputed convention in any capacity. The injunction also covers any similar gathering that may be planned elsewhere in Nigeria, pending the hearing of a motion for interlocutory injunction.
Justice Onyekachi emphasized that the defendants, including their agents and affiliates, must cease all preparations or participation in the scheduled event, adding that the SSS and the Nigeria Police are mandated to enforce the court’s directive.
Additionally, the court granted the plaintiffs permission to serve legal documents, including the injunction, through substituted means—specifically by publishing the orders in a national newspaper to ensure adequate notice to all parties.
The matter has been adjourned to July 30, 2025, for hearing of the substantive motion.
The ruling marks a significant development in the internal leadership crisis facing the NBM of Africa, a Pan-African socio-cultural movement currently facing internal divisions.
