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In a notable move, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has handed down an ex-parte order, effectively corralling protesters in Abuja into a single venue – the National Stadium, commonly referred to as the MKO Abiola Stadium.
This decision sets a clear boundary for demonstrations in the nation’s capital.
The court’s decision came on the heels of a formal application submitted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who sought to establish clear boundaries for protests in the nation’s capital.
A mass protest against the country’s economic difficulties is slated to begin tomorrow, as Nigerians from all walks of life prepare to unite and demand solutions to the economic crisis.
The FCT Minister, represented by Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, approached the court with an urgent application, requesting an interim injunction to restrain the five leaders of the protest groups from assembling or marching on any roads, streets, offices, or public spaces within the FCT between August 1 and August 10, or any future date, pending the court’s consideration of the motion on notice.
Additionally, the FCT Minister, through Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, sought a court order directing security agencies to prevent the protest leaders from assembling or demonstrating on any public roads, offices, or premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the final determination of the suit.
The FCT Minister informed the court that despite the Federal Government’s neutrality on the protest, intelligence and security reports suggested that certain protest leaders aimed to exploit the event to cause destruction, damage public property, and disrupt public order, prompting concerns about public safety and security.
He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest will not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at a short notice.
The Minister tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT,” signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest
The said exhibit further indicated that the organisers demanded that they should be provided with light as well as toilet during the duration of the protest.
Read also: Protest: Enugu NSCDC Fortifies Security For National Assets
After hearing the applicant’s arguments, Justice Oriji recognized the fundamental right of individuals to engage in peaceful protests, but nonetheless imposed restrictions, limiting the demonstrations to the National Stadium, in consideration of the concerns raised by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.
Consequently, Justice Oriji directed the 1st to 5th respondents to confine their protest to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, designating it as the sole venue for their demonstration.
The court also directed that the respondents be served with the suit’s processes and the confinement order through newspaper publications, as a means of deemed service.
Named as defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, and unspecified individuals, along with senior security officials including the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, and the heads of the State Security Service, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, and the armed forces.
