Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, who ordered that protesters from the #EndBadGovernance demonstration be restricted to MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, is from Obi Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, the same area as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Chidi Odinkalu, a Professor of Practice in International Human Rights Law at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, highlighted this on Sunday.
“I didn’t really want to be the person saying it but the @fcthighcourt judge who gave the order to kettle #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters in the Moshood Abiola Stadium just happened to come from the same village as the Minister of the FCT, the plaintiff. Calculate the odds!” the professor stated on X.
Oriji issued the order following an ex-parte application filed by Wike and argued by Ogwu Onoja.
Wike argued that the Federal Government did not oppose the protest but noted that intelligence and security reports suggested some protesters might use the event to cause disruptions, damage public facilities, block roads, and disturb public peace.
Wike reported that security agencies were not equipped to manage potential crises on short notice, leading to the decision to prevent the protest to avoid issues.
The minister presented an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT,” signed by Damilare Adenola, which allegedly threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and damage the outer wires facing Aso Rock, while also demanding that the FCT provide lighting and toilet facilities for the protest.
Wike sought an interim injunction to restrain protest leaders from gathering or parading along any roads, streets, offices, or public premises within the FCT from August 1-10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The respondents in the suit included Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, and the Inspector-General of Police, among others.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to protest but restricted them to the stadium due to concerns raised by the FCT minister.
“In light of the above, the court finds it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are upheld while preventing negative impacts on other citizens’ rights to movement and ensuring that properties and public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge stated.
The protest continued at the stadium for several days until the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police reportedly opened fire on protesters and journalists. The restriction and subsequent events have sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the connections between the judge and the FCT minister.
Credit: Daily Trust.
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