Protest: Court restricts protesters to Abuja stadium

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT), high court has restricted participants in the August 1 protest to the MKO Abiola stadium, also known as National Stadium.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Wednesday in Abuja while ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the ex-parte application argued by Ogwu Onoja, SAN, the FCT Minister asked for an 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 to August 10.

“Or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” he had requested.

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

The Minister, who said 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 intended to capitalise on the planned protest to cause havoc.

He added they may cause irreparable damages to public facilities and block roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles, and disturb public peace.

He claimed that when he had contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order.

The security agencies told me that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at a short notice; they advised him that prevention is better than cure, he added.

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

Besides, they demanded that the FCT provide them light as well as toilet during the duration of the protest.

In his ruling, Justice Oriji, who recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, however, restricted them to the stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed 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.

He added that the protest did not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that property and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.

He, therefore, ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing same on the newspapers.

Defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police.

Others are Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff, Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.

Oriji subsequently adjourned hearing until Aug. 13.