By Aaior K. Comfort
A High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has issued an order restricting participants of the upcoming Fearless In October protests to four specified venues: MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, and Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School in Ota.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Tajudeen A. Okunsokan, followed a suit filed by the Ogun State Attorney-General (suit no. AB/667/2024), in which the state sought to limit the scope of the protests. Protest leaders Afolabi Adeboye, Ifemosu Michael, Lekan Soneye, Bestman Okereafor, Francis Adeyanju, Thomas Kehinde, and others representing student and rights groups, were named as respondents.
The court directed protesters to avoid all other locations aside from the four approved venues. The ruling further authorized the Ogun State Commissioner of Police to ensure compliance with the order. According to Justice Okunsokan, the restriction will be in force for seven days, as stipulated by Order 39 of the Ogun State High Court’s Civil Procedure Rules.