Court Dismisses Motion to Stop #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a motion seeking to stop the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The application, filed by a group of Nigerians, aimed to obtain an interim injunction to prevent protesters from continuing their demonstrations.

The motion was brought forward by 16 individuals, including Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, and Adiza Abbo, on August 12, 2024. They sought to enforce their fundamental rights against various organizations associated with the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Among the defendants were groups such as the Take It Back Movement, Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, and several others advocating for social and political change.

The plaintiffs argued that the protests, coordinated under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, threatened their right to life, personal liberty, and economic development. Their lawyer, Tsembelee Sorkaa, pointed to the 2020 #EndSARS protests, which they claimed led to violence and destruction, as justification for their concerns.

However, presiding Judge Lifu dismissed the motion, stating that the protests in question had already concluded, and no evidence was provided to suggest they would resume. “The prayers for substituted service are not grantable. The entire application lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed,” the judge ruled.

The court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for August 29, 2024.