The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application seeking an injunction to prevent ongoing protests under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria banner.
The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, dismissed the ex parte motion filed by Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, and 13 other Nigerian citizens. This type of motion, which allows a party to seek relief without prior notice to the other side, aimed to halt the protests and prevent further disruption.
The applicants targeted various organisations involved in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests, including the Take It Back Movement, Concerned Nigerians, and Nigerians Against Hunger, among others. They also sought to restrain a wide range of individuals and groups, including Omoyele Sowore and the Social Democratic Party, pointing to violations of fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and economic stability due to the protests.
The petitioners’ legal representative, Tsembelee Sorkaa, argued that the ongoing protests posed a risk to public order and personal safety, drawing parallels with the #EndSARS protests of 2020, which had led to unrest and property damage.
Sorkaa requested that the court issue a restraining order and direct security forces to enforce it. Again, he sought permission for substituted service, suggesting that the respondents be notified via national newspapers due to difficulties in serving them directly.
During the hearing, Justice Lifu commented on the lack of supporting affidavit and questioned the necessity of an urgent restraining order, given that the protests had concluded the previous week. The judge also noted the absence of evidence indicating that the protests would resume in the near future. Consequently, Justice Lifu deemed the application unsubstantiated and lacking in merit, leading to its dismissal.
The court has rescheduled the next hearing on the related motion for August 29, 2024. Despite the court’s decision, protest leaders have disclosed plans to renew the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests on October 1, 2024, continuing their push for improved governance in Nigeria. The recent protests had garnered international attention, prompting advisories from foreign governments and leading to security measures in several Nigerian states.
