A Lagos High Court has issued a restriction order, limiting protesters participating in the upcoming nationwide demonstrations to specific locations within the state.
The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, ruled on Tuesday that protesters must confine their activities to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu, Lagos State.
The decision followed an ex parte application filed by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN.
The application sought to ensure public safety and prevent potential loss of lives and property during the protests, which are scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024.
The defendants in the case included Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (representing Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (representing Take it Back Movement), persons unknown, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
In his argument, Mr. Pedro emphasized the need to safeguard critical infrastructure and prevent a repeat of the chaos experienced during the EndSARS protests in 2020.
He noted that various groups had expressed differing views about the planned protest, creating a need for measures to protect public order.
Pedro stated, “As the Chief Law Officer of the State and having been privy to notices by different interests who are for and against the nationwide protest, there is the need to protect the critical infrastructures of the state and prevent an irreparable loss of lives and property.”
He further argued that the Lagos State Police Command lacked sufficient manpower to secure multiple protest locations across the state.
There was also a concern that the protest could be hijacked by criminal elements, potentially leading to widespread destruction and disorder.
“In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage public protests against government policies and actions, but also to prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces as the only approved locations for protests,” Pedro explained.
“These are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, and Peace Park, Ketu.”
The court order specifies that protests, rallies, and meetings should only take place at these designated locations between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily from August 1 to 10, 2024.
Justice Ogundare granted all the reliefs sought in the application, emphasizing the need for compliance with legal protocols.
The ruling included provisions for the 6th Defendant, the Commissioner of Police, to ensure the protection of protestors’ rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
Additionally, the police were directed to provide security and manage traffic around the designated protest sites.
Justice Ogundare’s ruling also mandated that the court’s orders be served to the defendants through newspaper publications, ensuring that all parties were adequately informed of the legal constraints imposed on the protest.
This development comes amidst heightened tension and anticipation of the protests, with various groups voicing their discontent over perceived bad governance.
