Bayelsa govt secures court’s order to stop pro-Wike rally

A High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has issued an interim injunction stopping a scheduled pro-Wike rally from taking place in the state capital on April 12, 2025.

Justice I.A. Uzakah granted the order on Thursday following an ex parte motion brought by the Bayelsa State Attorney General, Biriyai Dambo, SAN.

The legal action, registered as Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025, aims to prevent the event until the court has heard and ruled on a substantive motion for interlocutory injunction.

Mr. George Turnah, identified as the lead convener of the group NEW Associates, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are named as the first and second respondents in the suit. Also joined in the case are the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police.

In the enrolled order, the court ruled: “An order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, associates, privies, representatives (or any person whatsoever acting at their behest), from conducting, convening, coordinating, engaging in, organising, participating in, holding, hosting, or facilitating any political assembly, rally meeting, or gathering within Bayelsa State, for the purpose of solidarity, hosting, and celebrating the 2nd Defendant in Bayelsa State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The court has fixed April 11, 2025, for the hearing of the motion.