Hunger Protest Restricted to National Stadium in Nigeria
In a bid to maintain peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a Federal Capital Territory High Court has extended an order restricting participants in the hunger protest to the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as the National Stadium.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji made the order after an application was filed by Dr Ogwu Onoja SAN, acting on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The application was prompted by concerns over the nationwide protests, which were initially scheduled to last for 10 days but may be extended beyond that timeframe, according to a statement issued by one of the protest leaders, Damilare Adenola.
The defendants in the suit include Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff, and Chief of Naval Staff.
At the resumed hearing, none of the 12 defendants appeared in court, and no legal representation was present. Dr Onoja SAN argued that, since the defendants 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 disrupted.
In a brief ruling, Justice Oriji granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force. The judge also ordered that the defendants be served with the hearing notice before the next adjourned date, which is August 22.
In his ruling on July 31, Justice Oriji recognized the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest but restricted them to the stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed by the minister. The judge emphasized that the protest must not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and must not destroy properties and public facilities.
As a result, the court ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest. The court also ordered the service of processes in the suit and the confinement order on the respondents by placing same on the newspapers.
The development comes amid concerns over the nationwide protests, which are aimed at drawing attention to the growing hunger crisis in Nigeria. The protesters have been calling for government action to address the issue and provide relief to affected families.
