The Attorney General of Ondo State, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), has called for national honours to be bestowed upon Justice Sylvanus Oriji for his decision to restrict the nationwide protest in Abuja. Justice Oriji, of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, ruled on July 31 to limit the August 1 to August 10 protests to the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, following an ex-parte application by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ajulo praised Justice Oriji’s ruling as a necessary measure to ensure public safety and maintain order, urging Nigerians to support both Oriji and Wike for their roles in averting potential chaos. He emphasized that while the right to protest is crucial, it must be balanced with the need for public safety and respect for judicial processes.
Ajulo also encouraged President Bola Tinubu to recognize Justice Oriji’s contribution to preserving peace by conferring a national honour on him. He highlighted the importance of reasonable and proportionate restrictions on protests, pointing to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approach to maintaining peace during protests as a model for managing public demonstrations effectively.