Justice Sikiru Owodunni of an Ogun State High Court sitting in Ipokia, Ipokia Local Government Area of the State, has declared the imposition of curfew on the people of Ipokia by Oro festival in broad daylight, illegal.
The Court also declared that Oro festival could only be celebrated between 12am and 4am in the midnight subject to the approval of government and undertaken to maintain peace.
The Judge, in a suit filed by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Muslim Community in Ipokia, against Oro festival ordered that Oro worshippers have no constitutional authority to impose curfew on residents.
The suit had challenged the activities of the Oro adherents in Ipokia, Idi-Iroko, Ihunbo, Ifonyintedo, Ogosa, Koko, Ilashe, Ibatefin, Agosasa, Oniru, Mede and Ajegunle and other villages in the area.
Counsels to the applicants, Kayode Samson and David Folalu had told the Court that the respondents performed their Oro festival in the bush at midnight while women and men who do not belong to the cult are not permitted to see the Oro.
He further argued that the respondents began to extend the celebration into the main part of the communities at daytime, saying that imposing daytime curfew for the purpose of the celebration is unlawful.
Samson said: “When the Oro festival is on, women and men who do not belong to the cult are compelled to stay indoor, while businesses, churches, mosques, government parastatals, schools and public places are also compelled to be closed down, thereby, depriving the applicants of their freedom of movements and lawful assembly.”
The Judge ordered: “Perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, their privies, agents and cohorts from declaring or imposing a daytime curfew or in any manner interfering with the fundamental rights of the applicants to freedom of movements.
“It is hereby declared that Oro festival or ritual can only be celebrated in Ipokia, Idi-Iroko, Ihunbo, Ifonyintedo, Ogosa, Koko, Ilashe, Ibatefin, Agosasa, Oniru, Mede and Ajegunle and other villages thereunder between the hours of 12:am and 4:am in the midnight subject to the government approval and undertaking to maintain peace”.
The post Court Declares Oro Festival In Daytime Illegal In Ogun appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
Court Declares Oro Festival In Daytime Illegal In Ogun
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT
Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING
