The absence of the presiding judge stalled proceedings in the suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) against the conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest at the federal high court in Abuja.
According to NAN, Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge in
charge of the suit, was said to have to be sitting in the Enugu division of the
court.
The case, which was listed on Wednesday’s cause list, has
now been rescheduled for November 5 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The police had approached the court seeking an order to
restrain Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and publisher of Sahara
Reporters, and others from staging a protest demanding the release of Nnamdi
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in parts of Abuja on
October 20.
On October 17, the judge granted an interim order barring
Sowore and other respondents — including Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara
Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and unnamed
individuals or groups — from holding demonstrations in what the police
described as “sensitive areas” within the federal capital.
The affected locations include Aso Rock, the national
assembly complex, force headquarters, court of appeal complex, Eagle Square,
and Shehu Shagari way.
The interim injunction was to remain in force pending the
hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
Although the matter was earlier scheduled for October 20,
the hearing did not take place, and the protest went ahead in parts of the
city.
The matter was subsequently moved to October 29 and has now
been shifted again due to the judge’s absence.
BACKGROUND
During the protest on October 20, police officers shot
teargas canisters at protesters and commuters at some areas in Abuja.
The police arrested 13 protesters, who were subsequently
remanded by a magistrate court for alleged incitement of public peace.
Among those remanded was Aloy Ejimakor, one of the
disengaged counsel of Kanu.
On October 23, Sowore was arrested by police shortly after
leaving the premises of the federal high court in Abuja.
The activist was arrested for leading protesters into
“restricted areas” in Abuja.
On October 24, Sowore and the other protesters were granted
bail by the court.
On Monday, Sowore and the other protesters were released
after meeting their bail conditions.
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