Ogun Court Restricts End Bad Governance In Nigeria Protests
On Wednesday, the Ogun State High Court issued a significant order regarding the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, mandating that demonstrators confine their activities to four designated locations within the state. This decision follows an application by Ogun State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), seeking to regulate the protests.
Justice O. Ogunfowora’s ruling stipulates that protests must be limited to specific sites: MKO Stadium in Abeokuta, Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School in Ota, Remo Divisional High School in Sagamu, and Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode. The protests are also restricted to occur only between 8 am and 5 pm each day.
The court’s order aims to manage the impact of the protests on the public and ensure adequate protection for participants. By selecting locations across the four divisions of Ogun State, the ruling allows protesters to engage in demonstrations while minimizing disruption to non-participants and maintaining public order.
Justice Ogunfowora directed the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to enforce this order, ensuring compliance with the designated locations and time restrictions. The order is effective from 1 August 2024 to 10 August 2024, and the court has required the state to serve notice of the application within this timeframe.
Additionally, the court has instructed that any protests held outside the specified times and locations will be deemed unlawful. Protest organizers are urged to respond to the application within 72 hours.
The case has been adjourned to August 6, 2024, for further proceedings. This ruling underscores the court’s efforts to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and safety during the demonstrations.
The ruling comes amid growing tensions surrounding the protests, which have called for government accountability and better governance in Nigeria. The restrictions are intended to provide a controlled environment where protesters can express their grievances while minimizing potential conflicts and disruptions.
Justice Ogunfowora’s directive for the Commissioner of Police to enforce the order highlights the role of law enforcement in maintaining order during public demonstrations. The court’s emphasis on compliance with the time and location restrictions underscores the importance of balancing the right to protest with the need for public order.
The adjournment of the case to 6 August 2024 allows time for both the state and the protesters to respond to the court’s orders and any further legal proceedings that may arise. The decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing discourse on public demonstrations and civil rights in Nigeria, setting a precedent for how such protests are managed and regulated.
As the protest period approaches, both organizers and participants will need to adhere to the court’s guidelines to avoid legal repercussions. The court’s ruling aims to ensure that the protests can be conducted in a manner that respects both the protesters’ rights and the community’s need for stability and order.
For further updates on the case and related developments, stay tuned to local news sources and official statements from the Ogun State High Court and law enforcement agencies.