Court extends order restricting Abuja protesters to National

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Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today extended the court’s early order restricting participants in the August 1–10 hunger protest against the Federal Government to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

On July 31, the judge issued the restricting order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The Minister had approached the court, seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices, and public premises within the FCT between August 1 and August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

He had also sought another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, office, or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.

The Minister, who stated that the Federal Government was not averse to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalise on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damages to public facilities and block roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.

Joined as respondents in the suit are Omoyele Sowore; Damilare Adenola; Adama Ukpabi; Tosin Harsogba; persons unknown; Inspector General of Police; Commissioner of Police; Director General of the State Security Service; Director General, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps; Chief of Army Staff; Chief of Air Staff; and Chief of Naval Staff.

At the resumed hearing of the suit today, Justice Oriji extended the restraining order following an application to that effect argued by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, on behalf of the FCT Minister.

None of the defendants were in court and were not represented by any lawyers.

The minister had, through Onoja, drawn the court’s attention to a statement issued by the second defendant, Damilare Adenola, in which she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.

The senior advocate told the court that since the defendants were absent for today’s proceedings and no one knew their next plan of action, it would be in order for the court to extend the restraining order to ensure that peace in the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.

Justice Oriji, in his brief ruling, granted the FCT Minister’s request and held that the order of July 31 remains valid and in force.

He then adjourned to August 22 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

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