October 1 protest: Kwara court restricts public protest to Metropolitan square

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, 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.

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