A court has limited protests in Abuja to the National Stadium. Learn more about the ruling and its implications for demonstrators.
The Federal Capital Territory’s High Court has limited the August 1 hunger protest against the federal government to take place solely at MKO Abiola stadium, also referred to as National Stadium.
In Abuja, on Wednesday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted an order in a ruling for an ex-parte application submitted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
During the ex parte application, Chief Ogwu James Onoja presented arguments for an interim injunction sought by the FCT Minister. The order would prevent five protest leaders from gathering or parading on public grounds within the FCT between August 1 and 10, as well as other days until a ruling is made on their motion to be heard later.
He sought an additional order for a temporary injunction directing the security agencies to prohibit rally organizers from assembling or moving in groups across any thoroughfare, establishment, or public domain within the FCT during August 1-10. This request is subject to review upon hearing of his motion on notice.
According to the minister, who expressed that the federal government did not oppose the protest, he received intelligence and security reports suggesting that certain leaders among the protestors aimed to exploit this event by sabotaging public infrastructure, obstructing roads for transportation and disturbing peace.
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He asserted that upon contacting the security agencies to guarantee a non-violent and peaceful planned protest, he received advice that they lacked sufficient resources to handle any emergency situation. As a result, they advised him on adopting preventative measures over curative ones.
During the protest, the minister presented a display from “Take it Back Movement, FCT” signed by Damilare Adenola. Their exhibit included threats to invade the Presidential Villa and dismantle outer wires facing Aso Rock villa.
In addition, they requested that the FCT supply them with access to both electricity and restroom facilities throughout their demonstration.
Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to protest but confined them to the stadium due to valid concerns raised by the minister.
The judge held that considering the aforementioned facts, it is suitable and necessary to bestow an order under the omnibus or general prayer in order to safeguard the protestors’ rights while also ensuring that their protest does not impede on other citizens’ right of movement nor damage any public property or facilities.
Consequently, he instructed the first through fifth respondents to solely utilize the Moshood Abiola Stadium for their demonstration.
The court directed that the respondents in the case be served with legal processes and confinement orders by means of publication in newspapers.
Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba and individuals yet to be identified are all defendants in the lawsuit. In addition, the Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Director-General Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(Nigeria NSCDC ), Chief Of Army Staff(COAS), Chief Of Air Staff(COAF) and ChiefOf Naval Staff(CON) have been listed as respondents numbered one through twelve respectively.
