End Bad Government protest: Stop attacking judges over restriction orders – Group tells Odinkalu

A civil group, Global Network for Justice and Equity, has asked Prof. Chidi Odinkalu to stop his incessant attacks against judges and the entire judiciary.

This request comes in response to an order granted by an Abuja High Court that restricted protesters to specific areas to prevent chaos and anarchy in the country.

The group, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that the constant denigration of the judiciary and judicial officers by Odinkalu would not benefit the nation but could spell doom in the end.

The National Coordinator of the group, Makinde Moses, appealed to the law professor to approach issues of national importance with maturity and objectivity rather than emotional responses.

Reacting to the verbal attacks directed at Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the FCT, who issued the order on July 31 restricting Abuja protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the organization expressed deep concern that Prof. Odinkalu failed to see the wisdom in the judge’s decision.

Odinkalu had criticized Justice Oriji in media publications for granting an order that restricted the August 1 protesters to the National Stadium based on a legal action filed by the FCT Minister against the use of Eagle Square and to prevent the protesters from invading the Aso Rock Villa.

According to the group, the patriotic decision of Justice Oriji saved Abuja residents and the entire Federal Capital Territory from potential embarrassment, wanton destruction of lives, and damage to public and private property caused by hoodlums who might hijack the protesters’ intentions.

The group’s statement read in part: “We have read the publications and comments by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and his associates aimed at discrediting Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji of the High Court of FCT, Abuja.

“From the publications and comments, it is clear that Odinkalu and members of his group did not understand the ruling of the Court. It has become imperative to state the facts correctly in the interest of the public.

“As of July 31, 2024, the Hon. Judges of the High Court of FCT, Abuja were on annual vacation. The Court is still on vacation. The Hon. Chief Judge of the High Court of FCT, Abuja appointed His Lordship, Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji, and four other judges to serve as vacation judges for urgent matters.

“When the suit concerning the protest was filed by the Hon. Minister of FCT, Abuja, on July 31, 2024, along with a motion ex-parte for interim injunction and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, Hon. Justice Oriji entertained it as a vacation judge.

“It is instructive to note that Hon. Justice Oriji did not grant the main prayer sought by the Hon. Minister of FCT, which was to stop the protest. The prayers are included in the court order.

“As stated in the Order, the Court recognised the right of citizens to embark on peaceful protests while noting that other citizens are also entitled to their constitutional rights.

“It appears the Court considered the facts before it to make a decision that would benefit the protesters, other citizens, and the entire country, especially Abuja residents.

“One of the facts before the Court was a letter dated July 26, 2024, written by Damilare Adenola (2nd defendant) on behalf of ‘TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, FCT’ to the Hon. Minister of FCT (the applicant). The letter is attached herewith for reference.

“In the letter, the protesters notified the Hon. Minister of FCT of their decision to ‘use the Eagle Square as a point of convergence.’ Additionally, they requested that ‘the outer wire mesh barrier facing the Aso Rock Villa be removed in the meantime, as protesters may decide to visit the Presidential Villa during the protest.’

“There is no doubt that if the Court had allowed the protesters to converge at the Eagle Square, any attempt to enter the Presidential Villa would have been resisted by security agents, potentially leading to unimaginable casualties and possible loss of lives.

“In these circumstances, we believe Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji acted appropriately and expediently by ordering the protesters to converge at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

“The judge granted their request to converge at a venue, but not the Eagle Square venue sought in their letter. The judge also ordered security agencies to protect the protesters.

“So, what wrong did the judge do? Let the truth be told: the Hon. Judge should be commended instead of denigrated.

“Our opinion, which aligns with the views of well-meaning residents of Abuja, is that the Court Order helped to reduce casualties, looting, and destruction of property during the protest.

“We believe the only people displeased with the Court Order are the detractors and political opponents of the Hon. Minister of FCT and the President of the Country.

“These detractors view the Hon. Minister as unsuitable for the position despite the numerous achievements of the FCT Administration under his leadership.

“Similar orders were granted in Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, and a few other states. It is puzzling why Odinkalu and his cohorts have no issues with those orders and the Judges who made them.

“It appears these detractors and political enemies of the Hon. Minister intended to use the protest to make Abuja ungovernable in an attempt to discredit the Hon. Minister.

“While Chidi Odinkalu and his associates are entitled to express their views on the Court Order, it was unseemly for Odinkalu to attempt to tarnish the reputation of Hon. Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji. A person who prides himself as a professor of law should show respect for His Lordship and his office.

“It is evident from the above facts that the coincidence of Hon. Justice Oriji and the Hon. Minister of FCT hailing from Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State has no bearing on the Court Order. After all, the case concerns the FCT Administration, not the Hon. Minister personally.

“Additionally, the Court did not grant the orders sought by the Hon. Minister to stop the protest entirely.

“In his publication, Chidi Odinkalu, in a desperate attempt to impugn the credibility of the Hon. Judge, alleged: ‘Even before the Court rose for the day, the order was already in the public domain blaring from all government media. It read uncannily as if the order had been granted even before the case was filed.’

“This allegation is spurious, unfounded, and can only be made by someone intent on maligning successful individuals. Such a person should be ignored, and his views disregarded,” the statement concluded.