Court Restricts August 1 Protest in Lagos to Two Locations

A Lagos High Court has granted an exparte application from the State’s Attorney General, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Lawal Pedro, to restrict the planned nationwide protest starting August 1.

The court order, issued by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, limits the protest to two designated locations in Lagos: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu.

The interim injunction prohibits the defendants from holding or converging for the protest in Lagos from August 1 to August 10, except at the approved locations. The allowed protest times are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The defendants listed in the application include Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take It Back Movement), as well as “persons unknown” and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

In presenting his case, Attorney General Pedro argued that the restrictions were necessary to protect critical infrastructure and prevent potential loss of life and property, citing the 2020 EndSARS protests as a precedent for the need for such measures.

Pedro contended that the Lagos State Police lacked the resources to secure multiple protest locations across all local government areas and highways.

Pedro stated, “In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage a public protest 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 government.”

He further argued that allowing protests across the entire state could lead to economic sabotage.

“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,” he said.

Justice Ogundare granted the interim injunction as requested, citing the need to balance the fundamental right to protest with the necessity to maintain public order and safety.

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