A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji has extended the order restricting the #EndBadGovernance protest participants to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Justice Oriji extended the order on Tuesday following an application made by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja SAN on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
During the proceedings, none of the 11 defendants were present in court, nor were they represented by any legal practitioner. However, the FCT minister’s lawyer highlighted a statement by Damilare Adenola, who warned that the nationwide protests might extend beyond the initial 10 days.
The counsel argued that given the defendants’ absence and the uncertainty of their next actions, extending the order was necessary to prevent potential disruption of peace in the FCT.
In a brief ruling, the judge granted the request and confirmed that the July 31, 2024, order remains valid and in force.
The judge has scheduled the hearing of the motion on notice for August 22, 2024.
Justice Oriji, in an ex-parte application argued by Onoja on behalf of the FCT Minister on July 31, had initially granted an interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading along any roads, streets, offices, and public premises within the FCT from August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He had also granted an interim injunction mandating security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roads, offices, or public premises within the FCT during the same period.
The minister, while emphasizing that the Federal Government was not opposed to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intended to exploit the planned protest to cause havoc, irreparable damage to public facilities, block roadways, prevent the movement of persons and vehicles, and disturb public peace.