The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has restricted the participants in the August 1 hunger protest to the MKO Abiola stadium due to concerns raised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory about potential disruptions and damage to public facilities during the protest.
The Minister requested an interim injunction to prevent the leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves in public areas, citing intelligence reports that indicated potential threats to public peace and safety.
The court recognised the protesters’ right to demonstrate but restricted the protest to the stadium in consideration of the minister’s concerns.
“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 and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed”, the judge held.
The 1st to 5th respondents have been instructed to use the Moshood Abiola Stadium for the protest.
Additionally, the court has mandated that the suit and the confinement order be served to the respondents by publishing them in newspapers. The defendants in the case include Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, unidentified individuals, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Director General of the State Security Service, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Chief of Naval Staff, all listed as the 1st to 12th respondents.