The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application seeking an interim injunction to prevent Nigerian protesters from continuing the #EndBadGovernance protests. Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABS/CS/1149/2024, on Monday, August 12, 2024.
The application, filed by some Nigerians on August 12, 2024, sought to enforce their fundamental rights against various organizations involved in the protests. The respondents included the Take It Back Movement, Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, Initiative For Change, Human Rights Co-advocacy Initiative, Nigerian Against Corruption Initiative, Citizens For Change Advocacy Initiative, Timely Intervention (1st to 8th respondents), and others such as Active Citizens Group, Students For Change, We Coalition, Total Intervention, Refurbished Nigeria, Tomorrow Today, Our Future In Our Hands Initiative, Youths Against Tyranny, Save Nigeria Movement, Omoyele Sowore, Social Democratic Party (SDP) (9th to 19th respondents), as well as the Attorney General of the Federation and various security agencies.
The applicants’ lawyer, Tsembelee Sorkaa, argued that the ongoing protests organized by these groups could potentially infringe on his clients’ rights to life, personal liberty, privacy, movement, property, and economic development. However, Justice Lifu found the application lacking in supporting affidavits and noted that the lawyer’s request for an interim injunction and substituted service was rushed.
The Take It Back movement, a key organizer of the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests, has threatened to return with a 10-million-person march if President Bola Tinubu does not address their demands. Over the past ten days, protesters in Abuja and other major cities have demanded the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and reduced electricity tariffs, expressing frustration with President Tinubu’s perceived inaction.
Activist Abiodun Sanusi stated that while the movement will pause its protests temporarily, they plan to return with a larger, more determined crowd if their demands remain unmet. Thousands of protesters also gathered in Yola on Saturday, calling for urgent intervention from President Tinubu to address the country’s socio-economic challenges.