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Court strikes out suit against #EndBadGovernance protest organisers
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a lawsuit filed against the organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place across Nigeria earlier this month.
The suit, brought by 17 citizens opposed to the protests, alleged that the demonstrations infringed on their rights. The plaintiffs, representing various regions across Nigeria, had sought an order compelling security agencies to suppress the protests.
However, in a surprise move, the judge, Peter Lifu, struck out the case on Thursday due to the plaintiffs’ absence from the proceedings. The judge expressed frustration and surprise that neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants appeared in court, leading him to conclude that the plaintiffs were no longer interested in pursuing the case.
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The protests, which began on August 1, were held against the economic hardship attributed to President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies. The plaintiffs had argued that the demonstrations violated their fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, human dignity, and national security.
Notably, the judge had previously dismissed an ex parte application filed by the plaintiffs, ruling that it lacked merit and that there was no evidence to suggest that the demonstrators intended to resume their activities.
The dismissal of the suit is seen as a victory for the organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, including Omoyele Sowore, who leads the Take It Back Movement. The development also underscores the importance of diligent prosecution in legal proceedings.
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