Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered that participants in the August 1 protest be restricted to the MKO Abiola Stadium. This decision came after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, filed an ex-parte application, which was argued by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN.
Wike argued that while the federal government is not against the protest, reports suggested that some leaders within the protest planned to cause havoc, damage public facilities, block roads, and disturb public peace. Security agencies indicated they were not well-equipped to handle potential crises arising from the protest on short notice. Thus, Wike sought an interim injunction to prevent any disturbances.
An exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT,” signed by Damilare Adenola, threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and damage the outer wires facing Aso Rock. The group also demanded lighting and toilet facilities during the protest.
Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to protest but restricted them to the stadium due to these concerns. He emphasized the need to balance the protesters’ rights with the rights of other citizens to move freely and protect public facilities.
The court ordered the protest leaders, including Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, and Tosin Harsogba, to use only the Moshood Abiola Stadium for their protest. The court also directed that the confinement order be published in newspaper.
The suit names several respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Service, and the heads of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, Army, Air Force, and Navy.
