An Abuja High Court Thursday declared illegal and unconstitutional, the ban placed on #BringBackOurGirls peaceful protests by a former Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mbu Joseph Mbu.
Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo in a landmark ruling upheld the fundamental rights to conscience, expression, assembly and association of our members and our Movement.
According to a statement by Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman, “By this Ruling, the Abuja High Court rightly pronounced that we, like all Nigerian citizens, do not need approval from any Authority, including the Nigerian Police Force, in the exercise of our right to gather and stage peaceful protests”.
The statement reads further, “Our Movement is particularly pleased that Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo described our citizens’ freedom of association and assembly as the pillar of any democratic governance.
“We therefore consider this landmark judgment a resounding victory for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Citizens’ Rights. Our advocacy for our 219 #ChibokGirls, who were abducted 200 days ago from their secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, has always been premised on the freedom to express our constitutional rights and civic duties as empathetic law abiding citizens of Nigeria.
“We, the entire members of #BringBackOurGirls Family, wish to specially thank our lawyers- the Femi Falana law chambers, for the free representation offered our Movement in this historical case. We also thank everyone who has stood by us over this one hundred and eighty five days (185 days) old advocacy for the rescue of these young daughters of our Nation.
“We hope that all relevant authorities have noted this judgment and would act appropriately to fully comply and respect our civil liberties.
“Meanwhile, we unequivocally reaffirm our resolve to continue standing in solidarity with our #ChibokGirls. We also again remind the Federal Government that it can no longer delay in rescuing 219 promising young women who, in seeking to acquire education, were abducted 199 days ago”.
