SKFEST 2026: Court Restrains SOKAPU, Tabara, Others From Interfering With Festival

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: A Kaduna High Court has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato and the Southern Kaduna Peoples United-Associations (SOKAPU), themselves, agents, privies, associates, supporters, or persons acting through them, from disrupting or interfering with the conduct of the Southern Kaduna Festival, SKFEST-2026 programme, pending the determination of the suit before it.

The court order issued on Thursday 21st May 2026, also restrained Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato and Southern Kaduna Peoples United-Associations (SOKAPU) from intimidating sponsors, guests, vendors, venue providers, participants, or officials associated with SKFEST, pending determination of the suit before it on a matter between SKFEST & Engr. Tabara & SOKAPU.

It will be recalled that Tabara, the President of SOKAPU had recently issued a public disclaimer for the conduct of SKFEST-2026, with the theme: “Embrace Diversity, Build Bridges,” slated for between May 28-30 in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Though SKFEST is a duly registered cultural organisation incorporated on 18 January 2024 under the Corporate Affairs Commission with CAC No. RC-7306054, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato’s SOKAPU, which was only subsequently registered on 3rd October 2024, unlawfully and without justification issued a disclaimer concerning the SKFEST-2026 event, despite neither Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato nor SOKAPU being members of SKFEST. By so doing, he improperly constituted himself a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of the organisation he is not privy to.

The suit filed by L.G. Waziri Esq., Counsel to the Applicant, was adjourned to June 3 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Reacting to the development, Chairman of SKFEST Central Planning Committee (CPC),
Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai (Rtd), reiterated that preparation was on top gear and that necessary arrangements have been put in place to receive the A-List guests expected to grace the most celebrated festival, North of the Niger.

The guests include the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and not fewer than five Governors to be led by the Host, Governor, Sen. Uba Sani.

On the alarm raised by meddlesome Tabara in his public disclaimer on plans to “instigate violence and undermine security” during the SKFEST event, Admiral Ferguson called on the Department of State Security (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to invite Tabara to assist them with necessary intelligence he was privy to, so as to take pre-emptive measures to contain anything that is likely to cause breach of peace before, during and after the event.

According to Ferguson, any such disclosure with security implications should not be taken lightly at a time when Kaduna State government is taking necessary measures to consolidate on the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

Furthermore, Admiral Ferguson said SKFEST was studying the meddlesome public disclaimer issued by Tabara against a registered entity which he is neither mentioned nor has legal stake, and the character assassination of his (Ferguson) person, with the view to pressing charges for damages of considerable proportion permissable by law, to serve as future deterrence, stressing that Nigeria’s 1999 constitution (as amended), provides for freedom of association without meddlesomeness.

He said Tabara’s unlawful actions against SKFEST and his (Ferguson) person, constitutes criminal tresspass, character defamation and injurious falsehood.

He concluded that though, SOKAPU and SKFEST are two different organisations, SKFEST is more concerned and willing to support and partner with any initiative that would bring about rapid development to Southern Kaduna, than embark on any futile show of ego flexing, adding that SKFEST was ready to engage SOKAPU and other meaningful organizations with respect, for peace, unity and development of the region, Kaduna and Nigeria at large.

Source: TheNewsicon