By kawaekwune Jeffrey
A Lagos High Court has restricted protesters taking part in the proposed August 1 nationwide protest to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, and Peace Park in the Ketu area of Lagos State.
The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, issued the restriction on Tuesday following a preemptive ex parte application filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN. The application sought to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property during the period of the protests.
Listed in the application as co-defendants are Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group); Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement); Persons unknown and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
While presenting his application before the court, Mr. Pedro argued that as the Chief Law Officer of the State and being privy to notices by different interests for and against the nationwide protest, there was a need to protect the critical infrastructures of the state and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property as witnessed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.
Pedro maintained that the police in the state do not have sufficient manpower to provide security support for the protesters who plan to demonstrate in all the local government councils and public highways and other areas of public access in the State.
He further argued that there is the need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums who are prepared to breach law and order and cause destruction under the pretext of public protest against alleged bad governance.
According to Pedro, “In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage public protests against government policies and actions but to prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces and locations in the state where citizens can meet and converge to protest or express their displeasure against the government. The locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos State.
“Public protest in all the local government councils and public highways as well as other areas of public access in the State for 10 days is a deliberate plan to shut down the state and if this is allowed it will amount to economic sabotage.
“An order of court is required in the circumstances so as to protect the fundamental rights of the 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents to protest and other residents opposed to the protest to go about their lawful activities without harassment, disturbance, and destruction of public buildings/properties.”
After listening to his argument, Justice Ogundare granted all the reliefs sought in the application.
The court order comes in the wake of heightened tensions as the proposed nationwide protests, set to begin on August 1, draw nearer. The #EndBadGovernance demonstrations allegedly aim to address widespread public dissatisfaction with government policies and actions. This court ruling , according to some, attempts to balance the right to peaceful assembly with the need to maintain public safety and order.
The restrictions are reminiscent of measures taken during previous protests, particularly the EndSARS demonstrations, which saw significant unrest and damage to public and private properties. By designating specific locations for protests, the Lagos State Government hopes to prevent a repeat of such incidents while allowing citizens to express their grievances.
The court’s decision to limit the protests to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park reflects a strategic approach to manage the protests effectively, says Lagos State. The police and other security agencies are expected to provide adequate security at these locations to ensure the safety of the protesters and the general public.
This development is likely to influence the dynamics of the protests, as organisers and participants will have to adjust their plans to comply with the court’s order. The response from the various protest groups and the general public in the coming days will be crucial in determining the overall impact of this ruling on the nationwide demonstrations.
