An High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by one Kenechukwu Okeke, a human rights activist, against Davido, Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, and 47 other celebrities and activists over their activities during the October 2020 EndSARS protests.
The judge, Justice Bello Jawu in a ruling delivered on Friday, July 2, also restrained the Nigeria Police Force and Okeke from taking any steps to prosecute the individuals for their role played during the EndSARS protest.
Recall that TheNewsBeam reported that an human right activist, Kenechukwu Okeke in November 2020 sued 50 supporters of the EndSARS protest for instigating and inciting civil unrest and destruction of properties.
Some of the 50 names listed in the suit include Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Tuface, Kanu Nwankwo, Davido, Banky W, Uche Jombo, Kiki Mordi, Falz, Yul Edochie, Flavour, Yemi Alade, Peter Okoye, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Paul Okoye, Burna Boy, Modupe “Moe” Odele, and others.
However, in the ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Kawu ruled that the suit filed by Deji Adeyanju in his representative capacity is proper, adding that the high court is acting in its supervisory jurisdiction over the magistrate’s court against the criminal proceedings filed by Okeke.
Samuel Ihensekhien, counsel for Adeyanju and 49 other EndSARS protesters while reacting to the judgement, said the ruling shows that peaceful protest is legal and not a crime in Nigeria.
“By virtue of today’s ruling, his motion of dismissal of this substantive case has been dismissed by the honourable FCT high court,” he said.
The court adjourned the case till September 7.
