A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, has extended the order restricting participants in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest against the Federal Government to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The extension was granted on Tuesday, August 13, following an application by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja SAN, representing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
During the court proceedings, none of the 11 defendants were present, nor were they represented by legal counsel. The FCT Minister, through his lawyer, cited a statement from one of the protest leaders, Damilare Adenola, indicating that the protests might extend beyond the initially planned 10 days. This uncertainty, coupled with concerns over potential disruptions to public peace, led the counsel to argue for an extension of the restriction order.
Justice Oriji granted the extension, reaffirming that the original order issued on July 31, 2024, remains in effect. The order initially responded to an ex-parte application by the FCT Minister, who sought an interim injunction to confine the protest to the stadium and prevent participants from gathering or parading along roads, streets, offices, and public premises within the FCT from August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The Minister emphasized that while the Federal Government does not oppose the protest, intelligence, and security reports suggested that some elements within the protest leadership might exploit the situation to cause havoc, damage public facilities, block roadways, and disrupt public peace.
The court has set August 22, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice, which will further determine the status of the protest and any subsequent legal actions.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
