Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ayotunde Ogunleye, has criticized the organizers of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests for disregarding a valid court order that restricted demonstrations in parts of Abuja.
During an interview on the Channels Television programme ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday, Ogunleye emphasized that the principle of the rule of law requires absolute obedience to judicial directives, even when a party disagrees with them.
He stated:
Obeying Orders: “A court order must be obeyed, even if you do not agree with it. If you are dissatisfied, the constitution allows you to approach the court to set it aside.”
Constitutional Rights: He clarified that while the constitution grants fundamental rights, it also empowers the courts to impose limitations on those rights in the interest of the public.
Undermining the Law: The senior lawyer stressed that disobeying court orders undermines national institutions and the rule of law, arguing that the protesters should have challenged the order legally instead of taking to the streets.
Risk of Anarchy: He advised those seeking Nnamdi Kanu’s release to follow lawful options, warning that “taking the law into your hands risks turning the country into a banana republic. No nation can survive unless its citizens protect its institutions.”
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