Court Stops SOKAPU, Tabara From Disrupting Southern Kaduna Festival

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

The order, issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, also restrains Tabara and SOKAPU from intimidating sponsors, guests, vendors, venue providers, participants, or officials associated with SKFEST-2026, pending hearing and determination of the suit.

The case is between SKFEST and Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato alongside SOKAPU.

It will be recalled that Tabara, the President of SOKAPU, had recently issued a public disclaimer against the proposed SKFEST-2026 programme themed “Embrace Diversity, Build Bridges,” scheduled for May 28–30 in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Although SKFEST is a registered cultural organisation incorporated on January 18, 2024, under the Corporate Affairs Commission with registration number RC-7306054, the organisers alleged that SOKAPU, registered later on October 3, 2024, issued a disclaimer against the festival despite not being members of SKFEST.

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, the Chairman of the SKFEST Central Planning Committee (CPC), Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai (Rtd), said preparations for the festival were in top gear, adding that arrangements had been concluded to receive high-profile guests expected at the event.

He listed expected attendees to include Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and at least five state governors, led by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.

Bobai called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to invite Tabara for questioning, saying he may possess information useful in preventing any potential security breach before, during, or after the event.

He said any disclosure with security implications should not be ignored, particularly at a time when the Kaduna State Government is working to sustain relative peace in the state.

Bobai also said SKFEST was reviewing the public disclaimer issued by Tabara, describing it as interference with a registered organisation by persons without legal standing, and hinted at possible legal action for damages.

He added that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of association but warned against what he described as “meddlesomeness” in the affairs of lawful organisations.