End Bad Governance: Court Dismisses Suit Against Protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to halt a nationwide protest against economic hardship, citing a lack of diligent prosecution.

On Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu struck out the suit after the 17 plaintiffs failed to appear in court, leaving the 26 defendants present but without legal representation.

The plaintiffs, hailing from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, had petitioned the court to stop the protest, arguing that it violated their fundamental rights to freedom of movement, human dignity, property ownership, and national peace and security. They sought a court order compelling the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to take action against the protesters.

The plaintiffs claimed that the protests had caused significant damage to public and private properties in states like Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa. Among the plaintiffs were individuals such as Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, Ocholi Aduku, Francis John, Nnamdi Eze, Chibuzor Ifeanyi, Fesco Olatunde, and Ishaya Istifanus.

The defendants in the suit included Omoyele Sowore, the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Staff, among others.

Despite the case being scheduled for hearing, none of the plaintiffs appeared in court, nor were they represented by legal counsel. Similarly, the defendants—including the “Take It Back” movement, Nigerians Against Hunger, DSS, IGP, and the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff—also lacked legal representation, and no explanations were provided for their absence.

Justice Lifu, noting the absence and lack of interest from the plaintiffs, declared the case struck out, stating, “This suit is hereby struck out as it is clear that the plaintiffs have lost interest in pursuing this case.”

The suit was related to a ten-day nationwide protest held from August 1 to 10 by Nigerian youths to express their dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation.