A Lagos High Court has restricted protesters in Lagos participating in the proposed nationwide protest on August 1 to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in the Ketu area of the state.
The restriction was issued on Tuesday by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare following a preemptive ex parte application filed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN. The application was intended to ensure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property during the period of the protests.
Mr. Pedro, in his argument before the court, stressed his responsibility as the Chief Law Officer of the State. He underscored the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and minimizing potential damage. He noted that multiple groups with differing opinions about the nationwide protest had announced their intentions to participate, which heightened the risk of confrontations and disruptions.
Mr. Pedro pointed to the violent outcomes of the EndSARS protests in 2020, where significant damage to public and private property occurred, along with considerable loss of life, to justify the need for the court's intervention. He argued that the designated areas, Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park, would allow for the expression of dissent while facilitating effective control and monitoring to prevent chaos and ensure the safety of both the protesters and the general public.
Justice Ogundare, in his ruling, concurred with the concerns raised by Mr. Pedro, highlighting the need to balance the right to protest with the imperative of maintaining public order and safety. He granted the application, thereby restricting the protest activities to the specified locations.
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