By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATAl, mnipr
The High Court of Imo State has issued Form 48: Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order to several prominent members of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa for allegedly defying a valid court order.
The court action comes on the heels of a controversial parallel convention reportedly held last weekend by a faction of expelled members of the NBM in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and lekki lagos state despite a standing interim injunction barring such gatherings pending the determination of a substantive suit.
The restraining order was earlier granted on July 25, 2025, by Hon. Justice Mike Onyekachi of the Ahiazu-Mbaise Judicial Division, following an ex parte application brought by the Registered Trustees of NBM of Africa, alongside Olorogun Ese Kakor and Zonal Coordinator Kechi Opara. The suit, marked HAM/156/2025, sought to halt the factional activity threatening the unity and legal integrity of the movement.
However, in apparent defiance of the court’s directive, some individuals allegedly proceeded with the disputed event. As a result, the court swiftly moved to enforce its authority by invoking Form 48, a statutory notice warning of the grave consequences of contempt of court.
“Take notice that unless you obey the directives of this court contained in the said order, you shall be guilty of contempt and liable to be committed to prison,” the Form 48 explicitly states.
Those named in the contempt notice include:
Osagie David Igbineweka
Barr. Hope Aliu
Tochukwu Okeke (aka Owo)
Chukwuma Madike (aka Bobo)
Bemigho Eyeoyibo (aka Bemuda)
Dr. Anthony A. Orunkoya AKA Tony Masaka
Elder Ikechukwu Ikechi A. Ozurumba
Apostle Ese Eruedoja
Scadela Ekhator
and Isimeme Iriogbe
The issuance of Form 48 signals the court’s readiness to pursue contempt proceedings against any individual or group that flouts its orders. Legal experts say if found guilty, the accused could face serious penalties, including imprisonment.
The next hearing of the substantive suit indicate that where the court is expected to hear arguments on the motion for interlocutory injunction and determine further legal consequences for alleged violators.