Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has extended the order restricting participants in the ongoing hunger protest against the federal government to the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as the National Stadium in Abuja. The extension was granted on Tuesday following an application by Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, representing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the proceedings, none of the eleven defendants were present in court, nor were they represented by legal counsel. The FCT Minister’s lawyer, Onoja SAN, drew the court’s attention to a statement made by Damilare Adenola, one of the protest organizers, who hinted that the nationwide protests could be extended beyond the initial 10-day period.

Onoja argued that in light of the defendants’ absence and the uncertainty surrounding their next steps, it was necessary to extend the order to prevent any potential disruption of peace within the FCT. In a brief ruling, Justice Oriji granted the request, affirming that the original order, issued on July 31, remained in effect.

The court has scheduled a hearing for the motion on notice on August 22.

Previously, on July 31, the FCT Minister, through an ex-parte application, had successfully sought an interim injunction to restrain five leaders of the protesting groups from assembling or parading themselves on any roadway, street, office, or public premises within the FCT from August 1 to August 10. The order also mandated security agencies to prevent these leaders from gathering in such areas during that period.

The minister clarified that while the federal government was not opposed to the protest, intelligence and security reports suggested that certain elements within the protest’s leadership intended to exploit the situation to cause destruction, disrupt public peace, and damage public facilities. The court’s extension of the order is seen as a preventive measure to maintain order in the FCT amidst the ongoing protests.