Hunger protests will continue as the court dismisses a suit trying to impose a restraining order.
An application filed to the Federal High Court in Abuja requesting an order of interim injunction that would restrain Nigerian protesters from continuing with #EndBadGovernance protests via different platforms has been dismissed.
On Monday, August 12th of the year 2024, Justice Peter Lifu made a ruling to dismiss motion ex parte identified as FHC/ABS/CS/1149.
An ex parte motion (dated August 12, 2024) was filed by several Nigerians to enforce their fundamental rights against organizations associated with the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
Organizations like Take It Back Movement, Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, Initiative For Change, Human Rights Co-advocacy Initiative, Nigerian Against Corruption Initiative and Citizens for Change Advocacy Initiative were among the respondents sued by the applicants along with Timely Intervention.
The Active Citizens Group, Students For Change, We Coalition, Total Intervention, Refurbished Nigeria, Tomorrow Today initiative groups were also subject to lawsuits along with Youths Against Tyranny and Save Nigeria Movement. Additionally named as respondents in the lawsuit are Omoyele Sowore and Social Democratic Party (SDP) between 9th to 19th positions.
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The remaining individuals are comprised of the Attorney General of the Federation and various security agencies.
According to Tsembelee Sorkaa, the lawyer for the applicants, his clients’ rights – including their right to life, personal liberty and privacy as well as freedom of movement and economic development – are at risk due to the current protests in Nigeria. These demonstrations have been orchestrated by respondents one through nineteen who are advocating for an end to bad governance using #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria hashtag.
The judge determined that the lawyer’s ex parte notice, without the necessary affidavit to substantiate his demand for an interim injunction and alternate service, was improper haste.
Remember that if President Bola Tinubu does not meet their demands, the Take It Back movement, which played a major role in organizing the recent 10-day nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests against hardship, has vowed to stage another protest with up to ten million individuals on the streets.
Over the last 10 days, citizens in Abuja and other prominent Nigerian cities have been demonstrating for numerous issues such as decreased electricity costs and reintroduction of fuel subsidies.
Although they have repeatedly demonstrated, their concerns seem to be disregarded by President Tinubu, causing them frustration.
Activist Abiodun Sanusi announced that the protests will be momentarily suspended, but promised to come back with a stronger and more persistent crowd if their requirements are not fulfilled.
Earlier, he announced a period of 10 days designated as “rage” to bring an end to poor governance in Nigeria. Regrettably however, it has become apparent that President Bola Tinubu is unwilling to heed the call for reforms from Nigerians.
We assure the Nigerian government and President Tinubu that we will persist until our demands are met, even though today marks the end of the 10 days of rage.
Sanusi stated that they will come back to the streets and make a greater impact. They intend on leading an enormous march of 10 million people across all 36 states in Nigeria as well as FCT.
On Saturday, the major streets of Yola were flooded with passionate protesters who called for President Bola Tinubu’s immediate intervention in order to address the socio-economic crisis that is currently affecting Nigeria.
