The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order preventing the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies from arresting retired Vice Admiral, Dada Olaniyi Labinjo after a ‘deserter signal’ was issued against him.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the injunction, directing that the deserter signal (numbered 643NG and dated September 3, 2025) must not be acted upon until the main case is fully heard.
The order came after a motion ex parte application by Labinjo’s counsel, Andrew Igboekwe (SAN). The respondents in the case include the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Navy Board, and the Attorney General of the Federation.
Therefore, until the substantive hearing, the court makes an order to restrained these entities and other law enforcement agencies from arresting Labinjo either in connection with the deserter signal or any other matter except on the authority of a valid court order.
The court adjourned the case to October 20, 2025, with the deserter signal remaining unenforced while the fundamental rights issue is resolved.
