Nationwide Protest: Court Restricts Protesters In Abuja To MKO Abiola Stadium

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, located in Abuja, has imposed a limitation on protesters participating in the demonstration scheduled for August 1, designating MKO Abiola Stadium as their sole location for gathering.

On Wednesday, Justice Oriji issued a ruling regarding an ex-parte application submitted by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the proceedings, his attorney, Ogwu Onoja, presented a request for an interim injunction to prohibit five leaders of protest groups from assembling or marching on any roads, streets, offices, and public spaces within the FCT from August 1 to August 10 and beyond until a hearing could take place on the motion.

Additionally, he sought another interim injunction directing security agencies to prevent these leaders from gathering or parading in any roadway, office, or public area within the FCT during that same period while awaiting the hearing of his motion.

The minister stated that the Federal Government does not oppose the protest. However, he asserted that intelligence and security reports he has received suggest that certain leaders among the protesters aim to exploit the demonstration to create chaos, inflict severe damage on public infrastructure, obstruct roads to hinder the movement of people and vehicles, and disrupt public order.

He stated that when he reached out to the security agencies to confirm that the upcoming protest would not escalate into criminal activity or disrupt public peace, he was informed that they lacked the necessary resources to handle any potential crises arising from the protest on short notice.

In his decision, Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to demonstrate but limited their activities to the stadium due to valid concerns raised by the minister.

Consequently, the court deemed it appropriate and necessary to issue a general order aimed at protecting the rights of the protesters while ensuring that their demonstration does not infringe upon other citizens’ rights to move freely or lead to damage of properties and public facilities, as articulated by the judge.

Consequently, he instructed the first through fifth respondents to utilize the Moshood Abiola Stadium exclusively for the protest.

At the same time, the court mandated that legal documents pertaining to the case and the confinement order be served to the respondents via publication in newspapers.

The defendants named in the case include Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, unidentified individuals, as well as high-ranking officials such as the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of State Security Service, Director General of Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff—collectively identified as respondents one through twelve.