By: Abdulhafeez Oyewole
A Kwara State court has restricted public protests to the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, citing public order and safety concerns.
This ruling, made by Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara on September 30, 2024, in a statement from the State Ministry of Justice signed by Mrs Adesikeola Ajiboye, Press Secretary, is in response to an ex-parte motion filed by Kwara State Attorney General Barrister Ibrahim Sulyman.
Adebara said he’s persuaded to grant an order of “interim injunction directing the 4th respondents (unknown persons) whether by themselves, agents, privies, servants or any person(s) acting through them not to converge, carry, conduct any act or form of their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, processions and or meetings in any other place except at the Metropolitan Square, Asa Dam Road, Kwara State, in the interest of the general public on the 1st October, 2024, or any other date”.
The court also ordered the Director of State Security Service, the Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, to provide adequate security for the protection of lives and properties of all citizens and residents of Kwara State, as well as the infrastructures provided by the government against the 4th respondent’s act of protest or any form of protest on October 1, 2024, or any other day.
The court asked that processes in the suit be served on the respondents by substituted service by pasting same at the High Court of Justice premises in Ilorin.
The Court added that the interim injunction will be in force for at least seven days.
Adebara then adjourned hearings in the suit till October 21, 2024.
Here is the full statement:
October 1: Kwara CJ restricts public protest to Metropolitan Square• court orders police, security agencies to protect citizens, propertiesPublic protests of any kind in Kwara State should only be held at the metropolitan square Ilorin in the interest of public order and safety, Chief Judge Abiodun Adebara ordered on Monday, September 30, 2024.Ruling on an ex-parte motion filed and argued by the Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Bar. Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, Justice Abiodun Adebara said he’s persuaded to grant an order of “interim injunction directing the 4th respondents (unknown persons) whether by themselves, agents, privies, servants or any person(s) acting through them not to converge, carry, conduct any act or form of their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, processions and or meetings in any other place except at the Metropolitan Square, Asa Dam Road, Kwara State, in the interest of the general public on the 1st October, 2024, or any other date”.The court also ordered the director of state security service, the commissioner of police, the commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp to provide adequate security for the protection of lives and properties of all citizens and residents of Kwara State, as well as the infrastructures provided by the government against the 4th respondent’s act of protest or any form of protest on the 1st of October 2024 or any other day.The court asked that processes in the suit be served on the respondents by substituted service by pasting same at the High Court of Justice premises in Ilorin.Adding that the interim injunction will be in force for at least seven days, the Justice adjourned hearings in the suit till 21st October, 2024.Mrs Adesikeola AjiboyePress Secretary,Kwara State Ministry of JusticeSeptember 30, 2024.