A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the #EndBadGovernance protesters due to lack of diligent prosecution. The suit, initiated by 17 Nigerians from various geopolitical zones, was aimed at halting the nationwide protests that took place from August 1 to 10, 2024.
The plaintiffs had named several high-profile figures and institutions as defendants, including activist Omoyele Sowore, the National Security Adviser, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chiefs of Army and Defence Staff.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, struck out the suit after noticing the absence of both the plaintiffs and defendants, none of whom had legal representation in court. The judge expressed surprise at the lack of attendance and concluded that the plaintiffs had lost interest in pursuing the case.
The plaintiffs had sought a court order to terminate the protests, arguing that their fundamental rights—including freedom of movement, human dignity, and the right to own property—were being violated. They also called on the security agencies and the Attorney General to enforce these rights by taking action against the protesters.
Despite the plaintiffs’ concerns, which cited incidents of destruction in states like Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina, the case was dismissed due to the apparent lack of commitment from the plaintiffs.
