Due to security concerns, the Lagos High Court has restricted the upcoming nationwide protests to specific parks to ensure public safety and maintain order. The court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, ruled that the protests, scheduled for August 1-10, 2024, can only take place at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu. This decision was made following legal action taken by the state’s Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro, SAN, to manage public demonstrations and prevent potential chaos.
The court’s directive comes in response to concerns about maintaining public safety and preventing loss of life and property, reminiscent of the disruptions experienced during the 2020 EndSARS protests. The attorney general, addressing the court, emphasized the necessity of balancing the citizens’ right to protest against potential unlawful disturbances and economic sabotage that could result from a widespread shutdown of the city.
Pedro argued that limiting the protest locations would help law enforcement manage the situation more effectively, given the limited police resources to cover protests across the city’s many local government areas and public highways. He stressed that the restricted venues would still allow for the expression of grievances while safeguarding public infrastructure and the well-being of the state’s residents.
This is also to ensure that regular city activities can proceed without the usual disruption caused by widespread protests. The assigned parks will be available for protesters from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the protest days, making sure that all activities are contained within daylight hours and manageable locations.
Justice Ogundare granted the state’s request for an interim injunction, which not only designates the protest locations but also mandates the police to provide security and manage traffic around these areas. This judicial decision underscores the authorities’ intent to support peaceful assemblies while imposing necessary measures to control the scale and impact of public demonstrations.
The ruling has prompted mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary measure to maintain order and others criticizing it as a constraint on the freedom of assembly. The state government has been urged to ensure that these restrictions are temporary and that any further decisions continue to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Source: Vanguard
