An Abuja, FCT, High Court, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji has extended the order #EndBadGovernance protesters to the MKO Abiola stadium, also known as National Stadium, Abuja, the FCT.
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Justice Orji had on July 31 granted an exparte motion brought by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike by restricting the protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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Earlier today, the judge extended his order following an application that was argued by counsel to the FCT Minister, Dr James Onoja SAN.
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Although the defendants were not in court, Justice Oriji extended his order after the FCT Minister, through his lawyer, drew his attention to a statement by one Damilare Adenola where she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.Â
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The defendants are  Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG 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, Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th
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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 of the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.Â
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In a brief ruling, the Judge granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force.Â
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The Judge subsequently fixed August 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.Â
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Wike had applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
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He had also applied for another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, offices or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.
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The Minister who said that the federal government was not averse to the protest claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalize on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damages to public facilities and blocking of roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.
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He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at a short notice hence they advised him that prevention is better than cure.
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The Minister tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT”, signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protestÂ
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Besides, they demanded that the FCT provide them with a light as well as a toilet during the duration of the protest.
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In his ruling, Justice Oriji, who recognized 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.
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“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 and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge had held.
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He, therefore, ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.
