Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday confined the participants of the August 1 hardship protest to the MKO Abiola Stadium.
The decision came after an ex-parte application by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, represented by Ogwu Onoja.
Minister Wike argued that while the Federal Government did not oppose the protest, intelligence reports suggested some protest leaders intended to incite violence, damage public property, block roads, and disrupt public order.
He noted that security agencies indicated they were unprepared to manage such crises on short notice, making it prudent to restrict the protest to prevent potential issues.
The minister presented evidence from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT,” signed by Damilare Adenola, which allegedly included threats to invade the Presidential Villa and damage its perimeter during the protest.
The group had also demanded lighting and toilet facilities from the FCT for the event.
Wike sought an interim injunction to prevent the protest leaders from gathering or marching in any public areas within the FCT from August 1-10, pending further court proceedings.
Respondents in the suit included Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, unnamed individuals, and the Inspector-General of Police, among others.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to assemble but limited them to the stadium to address the security concerns raised by the FCT minister.
The judge emphasized the need to balance the protesters’ rights with the rights of other citizens and the protection of public property.
The court ordered that the Moshood Abiola Stadium be used exclusively for the protest and mandated the publication of the court’s confinement order in newspapers.
