A near-chaotic scene unfolded at Eagle Square in Abuja when police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the government.
Organized by the Take It Back Movement, the protesters had assembled around Eagle Square and the Federal Secretariat to express their grievances over issues such as bad governance, economic hardship, and widespread hunger.
The demonstrators were met with a substantial security presence, including both police and military personnel.
Despite orders from the security agencies to relocate their protest to the National Stadium, the protesters refused, resulting in the use of tear gas to force their dispersal.
This development was in violation of the court order.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has mandated that protesters on August 1 be confined to the MKO Abiola Stadium.
This ruling came after Justice Oriji granted an ex-parte application from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, who sought an interim injunction to prevent the protest leaders from assembling or parading along roadways, streets, offices, and public areas within the FCT from August 1 to August 10. Wike’s application also requested that security forces be directed to enforce this restriction.
Wike’s application was based on concerns that elements within the protest leadership might exploit the demonstration to cause disruption and damage to public facilities, obstruct traffic, and disturb public peace. He argued that security reports indicated insufficient preparedness to manage potential crises resulting from the protest.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji acknowledged the protesters’ right to demonstrate but endorsed the restriction to the stadium due to the legitimate concerns raised by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.
