Court extends order restricting Abuja protesters to MKO stadium

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Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has extended the order restricting participants in the hunger protest to the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as the National Stadium.

The judge gave the orderfollowing an application to that effect filed by Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At the resumed hearing, none of the 12 defendants appeared in court, and there was no legal representation.

The defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General, IG of Police, and Commissioner of Police.

Others are Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff, Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.

However, the FCT Minister through his lawyer, drew the attention of the Judge to a statement issued by one Damilare Adenola where she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.

Onoja SAN argued that, since they were not in court and no one knows their next plan of action;

”It would be in order to extend the order to ensure that peace in the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.”

In a brief ruling, the judge granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force.

Oriji further ordered that the defendants should be served with the hearing notice before the next adjourned date.

He subsequently adjourned until Aug. 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

In his ruling on July 31, Justice Oriji, recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, however restricted them to the Stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed by the minister.

“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 .

He added 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.

He therefore ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.

In addition, the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing the same in the newspapers.(N