A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case filed against nationwide anti-hardship protesters, citing a lack of diligent prosecution.
According to The PUNCH, the ruling came on Thursday after Justice Peter Lifu noted the absence of all 17 plaintiffs and the 26 defendants, who were present but lacked legal representation.
The plaintiffs, representing various regions across Nigeria, had sought a court order to halt the protests, arguing that their fundamental rights including freedom of movement, human dignity, property rights, and rights to economic, social, and cultural development were being violated.
They also claimed the protests posed a threat to national peace and security.
The plaintiffs requested the court to mandate the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff, and the Attorney General of the Federation to curb the protests.
They cited instances of alleged property destruction in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
Prominent among the plaintiffs were Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, Ocholi Aduku, Francis John, Nnamdi Eze, Chibuzor Ifeanyi, Fesco Olatunde, and Ishaya Istifanus.
On the defendants’ side were figures such as Omoyele Sowore, alongside several government officials, including the AGF, National Security Adviser, IGP, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Defence Staff.
Despite the case being scheduled for hearing, the judge was taken aback by the absence of the plaintiffs and their legal team.
Similarly, the defendants, including the Take It Back Movement, Nigerians Against Hunger, DSS, and other security officials, were also unrepresented and provided no explanation for their absence.
In light of these developments, Justice Lifu remarked, “This suit is hereby struck out as it is clear that the plaintiffs in the suit have lost interest in going further with this case.”
The dismissed case comes after a ten-day nationwide protest by Nigerian youths, held from August 1 to 10, voicing their frustration over the country’s economic challenges.
