‘Obey court order even if you disagree’ – Lawyer tells FreeNnamdiKanu protesters

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayotunde Ogunleye, has reacted to the arrest of FreeNnamdiKanu protesters who defied a court order to protest despite an order barring them from doing it.

The senior lawyer, in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television, faulted the protesters, stating that all court orders must be obeyed, even when one disagrees with them.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the constitution, which grants fundamental rights, also empowers courts to limit those rights in the public interest.

The senior lawyer stressed that disobeying judicial directives undermines national institutions and the rule of law.

He argued that protesters should have challenged the order legally rather than taking to the streets, advising that those calling for Nnamdi Kanu’s release should pursue lawful options available within the justice system.

“If you are not satisfied with a court order, the Constitution allows you to approach the court to set it aside.

“But taking the law into your hands risks turning the country into a banana republic. No nation can survive unless its citizens protect its institutions,” he added.