Court rejects bid to stop Nigerians’ protest against hunger

Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has thrown out an application seeking an order of interim injunction to bar Nigerians from protesting against hunger and bad governance.

Justice Lifu dismissed the motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABS/CS/1149/2024, on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, and thirteen other Nigerians filed the motion ex parte, dated August 12, 2024, through their lawyer, Tsembelee Sorkaa.

The applicants sued 19 civil society groups, including Take It Back Movement and Nigeria’s Action Against Hunger, while the Attorney General of the Federation and the security agencies were joined as parties.

The applicants sought the enforcement of their fundamental rights against the organisations involved with the protests.

However, Justice Lifu said the prayers lacked merit and were therefore dismissed.

Justice Lifu held, “I have carefully considered the prayers in the instant motion (ex parte). In my view, the motion is not grantable.

“The prayers for substituted service are not grantable.

“The entire application lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.”

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing on the motion on notice to August 29, 2024.