My Order Restricting Abuja Protesters To National Stadium Elapsed August 10 – FCT Judge
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has clarified that the order it issued restricting anti-hunger protesters to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja was only valid until August 10.
The court, however, declined to vacate the order, choosing instead to return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The suit, initiated by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, against the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests led by Omoyele Sowore, was subject to review during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji questioned the relevance of the suit given that the August 1 to 10 protest period had expired.
Counsel to the FCT Minister, George Ibrahim, argued that the order should remain in place, citing a letter from the protesters indicating that the protest could extend beyond August 10th.
Additionally, he pointed to fresh processes filed by Sowore and others, suggesting they were preparing for further protests.
Justice Oriji, however, emphasised that the order he issued on July 31st was specific to the August 1st to 10th protest. Despite this, the minister’s counsel urged that the order be extended until the court could hear and determine the motion on notice, a request made in the interest of maintaining peace.
The lawyer representing the protesters, Inibehe Effiong, countered by arguing that the restriction order had expired on August 10th and should be pronounced discharged.
However, the judge opted not to make a final ruling on the matter, instead referring the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment to a regular court after the court’s vacation, which ends on September 13th.
The original order from July 31st had confined the protesters to the National Stadium to prevent disruptions to public order and property. This restriction was extended on August 13th due to the absence of the defendants in court.
The case now awaits further adjudication, but the judge’s clarification makes it clear that the restriction order he issued is no longer in effect as of August 10.
