The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed against anti-hunger protesters, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff.
The suit, brought by 17 Nigerians in response to the recent nationwide protests, was dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Peter Lifu terminated the case on Thursday due to the absence of both the 17 plaintiffs and the 26 defendants, as well as the lack of legal representation from either party.
Despite the suit being scheduled for a hearing, Justice Lifu expressed surprise at the absence of the plaintiffs and their legal representatives. Furthermore, the defendants, including the Take It Back movement, Nigerians Against Hunger, the DSS, the IGP, and the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff, also failed to provide legal representation and did not offer any excuses for their absence.
Furious at the development, Justice Lifu concluded that it was evident the plaintiffs were no longer interested in the case and consequently struck it out.
The plaintiffs, representing the six geopolitical zones of the country, had sought a court order to terminate the protests, arguing that their fundamental rights to freedom of movement, human dignity, property ownership, economic, social and cultural development, and national peace and security were being violated.
They requested that the court compel the Director General of the DSS, the Inspector General of Police, the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff, and the AGF to enforce their rights by bringing the protesters to order.
The plaintiffs cited instances of significant damage to public and private property in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and other locations as part of their argument.
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However, the suit was terminated by Justice Lifu due to the plaintiffs’ failure to diligently prosecute the case.
Some of the plaintiffs include Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, Ocholi Aduku, Francis John, Nnamdi Eze, Chibuzor Ifeanyi, Fesco Olatunde, and Ishaya Istifanus.
Some of the defendants include Omoyele Sowore, the AGF, the National Security Adviser, the IGP, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Staff.