Hunger Protest: Federal , State, Magistrates’ Courts Restrict Protesters To 4 Locations In Ogun,1 In Kwara, 1 In Abuja
- Young Nigerians who are planning to hit the streets to protest against high food prices in the country today, August 1, 2024, would not be allowed to march through the streets of the major cities as there have been separate court orders restraining them from doing this and they have been restricted to designated locations.
- Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, restricted those planning to participate in the protest to the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
- The judge did this while delivering his ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike through Ogwu Onoja.
- Wike noted that though the Federal Government is not opposed to the protest, however, intelligence and security reports indicated that some among the organizers of the protest are planning to use it as a platform to cause havoc, damage public facilities, block roads and disturb public peace.
- He added that the security agencies had also noted that being informed on a short notice, they are not adequately equipped to manage potential crisis if the protest escalates into criminality or disturbance, it is therefore better to take proactive step to prevent this.
- The minister cited a statement by the ‘Take it Back Movement, FCT’ signed by Damilare Adenola, in which they allegedly threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and damage the outer wires facing the Aso Rock during the protest .
- The group, he added, also demanded that the FCT should provide them with lighting and toilet facilities during the protest.
Wike therefore applied for an interim injunction restraining the leaders of the groups planning to stage a protest from marching through the streets, gathering in offices, or public premises within the FCT from August 1-10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The respondents in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, and the Inspector-General of Police, among others.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji noted that the organizers have the right to protest but however restricted them to the stadium due to the concerns expressed by the FCT minister.
‘In light of the above, the court finds it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are upheld while preventing negative impacts on other citizens’ rights to movement and ensuring that properties and public facilities are not destroyed’ the judge said.
He ordered the first to fifth respondents to use the Moshood Abiola Stadium exclusively for the protest while adding that the service of processes in the suit, including the confinement order should be published in newspapers.
In Ogun state, those planning to participate in the protest have also been told to do so at 4 designated locations; the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
They are allowed to do this between 8 am and 5 pm daily.
Granting an application filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), Justice O. Ogunfowora of Ogun state High Court ruled that the organizers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria must restrict their activities to the aforementioned 4 locations.
The Attorney General has also noted that the 4 locations are across the 4 divisions in the state and in the three senatorial districts in the state which would allow protesters in those vicinities to conveniently participate in the protest under adequate protection and without infringing on the rights of non-protesting members of the public.
The judge has also directed the state Commissioner of Police to enforce the order and ensure that the protests are held only at the 4 designated locations.
Justice Ogunfowora, who urged the organizers of the protest to respond to the application within 72 hours , later adjourned the case until August 6 , 2024.
In Kwara state , organizers of the hunger protest in the state have also been ordered to restrict their activities to the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, the state capital.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Jibril Bio Salihu of the Magistrates’ Court, Ilorin, who granted the exparte order on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, noted that the court agreed with the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ibrahim Sulyman that such a protest could degenerate into violence if protesters are allowed to carry out their activities freely without restrictions.
The respondents in the case are the Director, State Security Service in Kwara state; Commissioner of Police, Kwara state Command; the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp; Take-It-Back Movement; Mr. Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed; and unknown persons.
“After listening to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ibrahim Sulyman Esq., Attorney General of Kwara state, the applicant herein and after a careful perusal of the 5 paragraphs affidavit as well as the written address in support of the motion ex-parte, the following orders are hereby granted.
An order of interim injunction restraining the 4th-6th respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, servants or any other person(s) acting through them to converge, carry, conduct any act or form of their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, processions and or meetings in any other place other than Metropolitan Square/Asa Dam Road, Kwara state in the interest of the general public for a period of 7 days, effective from the 1st August, 2024’ Chief Magistrate (DCR Litigation) Jibril Bio Salihu, submitted-.Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank yo
