The Lagos State Government has reminded the planners of the October 1 protest that its order restricting protesters to two parks subsisted.
The government told the protest organisers that it would not fold its hands and watch social and economic activities in the state disrupted by anyone or groups.
Already, the Police have reinforced security across the state ahead of the planned protest which the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has distanced its members from.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), told reporters yesterday that the demonstration planners needed to know that the government had not changed its mind on the fact that only Freedom Ojota and Peace Parks in Ketu designated places for protests.
Pedro clarified that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Oluwas not opposed to any group of residents expressing their views about any government through public protest. He said that such expression must be done within the confines of the law.
The protest organisers had on Thursday stated that the demonstrators would by 7 am gather at Ikeja Under Bridge where they would march through various streets to raise awareness on what they described as ‘anti-poor policies’ of the Federal Government.
They also requested the state Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to provide adequate security for all protesters in line with the Police Establishment Act 2020.
But Pedro: “We have and shall continue to engage the civil societies and NGOs(Non-Govermental organisations) in Lagos who are genuinely interested in the development of the state to explain and enlighten them that the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is not opposed to any group of residents expressing their views about any government by way of public protest as it is their fundamental right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
“However, the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly is not absolute and by virtue of section 45, section 215 (4) of the Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and section 4 & 10(2) of the Police Act, it is lawful for the governor of Lagos State or the Attorney- General on his behalf to give the Commissioner of Police directive for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order that may impact on the exercise of these fundamental rights.”
Pedro insisted that the government would not permit any street protest that can be hijacked by criminal elements.
He said: “In that respect, we advise that the organisers should utilise the designated venues in the state for public protest to wit; Freedom Park and Peace Park for adequate protection and coverage of the protest by members of the press.
“It is the same set or group of people that organised the last protest that is planning the October 1 protest, so they should be guided by the interim preservative order of injunction of court restricting public protest in the state to designated venues for the purpose.
“More so a substantive action is pending in court against them wherein an order of Interlocutory and perpetual injunction are being sought to permanently restrict any person or group of persons that wish to organise public protest in Lagos State to do so at designated venues.
“It is a settled principle of law that a defendant who is aware of a pending claim or application for injunction against him in a court of law, has an obligation to respect the court process and not engage in the same act sought to be restrained. Therefore whether the interim preservative order is subsisting or not, by the subsisting suit, it will be unlawful for anybody, civil society or NGO in Lagos to convene any public protest outside the designated venue.
“They should use the designated venues for their protest so that adequate security protection and traffic management can be provided for them to exercise their recognised fundamental right to freedom of speech, association and assembly without fear of the protest being hijacked and turned violent as experienced during the #End SARS protest. The last EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos was violence-free and successful because it was held in designated venues for public protest in the state
“I believe that if the real intention and plans of the organisers of the protest is to air their views and resentment against government policies and hunger in the land, making use of the designated venue will not be prejudicial to them unless of course they have a different and hidden agenda.
“I would also advise a rethink of the idea of taking over the streets of Lagos for the purpose of the protest bearing in mind that the fundamental rights of other people not interested in the protest should not be infringed upon and that the properties or businesses of other people may be destroyed if the protest is hijacked on the streets.”
*Police commissioner meets with protest planners, monarchs, clerics
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ishola, who met with traditional, religious leaders and the protest organisers in the state, said that security had been reinforced to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
He added that arrangements had been concluded with sister security agencies to provide maximum security to the protesters and other residents of the state.
“I have ordered the immediate and optimal deployment of human and operational resources across strategic locations in the state. In the same vein, I have charged the deployed officers to be professional, civil but firm,” he said.
The organisers, on their part, gave assurances that they and their followers would be peaceful and law-abiding during the protest.
Among the planners in attendance were Dabiradura Adeyinka, Alex Omotehnse, I. Tobiloba, Lawal Adewale, Adewale Ojo, Declan I., Funmi Jolade Ajayi, Akintunde Adedeji, Balogun Hameed, Aghedo Stephen, Edafe Oghenebrume, H.O.T. Duro, Isaac Obasi, Soweto, Oloye Adeniji, Aishat Omolara, Barrister Chuks Nwobi, Emmanuel Ajide, and Femi Akinyemi,
In Abuja, NAUS leadership opposed the protest over hardship in the country but called on the Federal Government to give 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to all tertiary institutions.
Its President Josiah Peter also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to take proactive steps to ensure all filling stations sold petrol at a uniform price and ensure that the nation’s refineries became operational.
Peter commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in repositioning the education sector and t for introducing student loan.
He said: “Having observed the current hardships, from foreign exchange irregularities to fuel scarcity, skyrocketing food prices, and the general decline in living conditions, we felt it necessary to address the nation and the student populace.
‘’We recognise the profound difficulties caused by the recent hike in fuel prices and understand the strain it places on our students and society.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 CNG buses to all institutions to help mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on university students.
“We urge all university students to shun all forms of protest, as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met.” (The Nation)
