A Lagos High Court has issued an interim injunction restricting the upcoming nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, 2024, to two designated areas in Lagos: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu.
The ruling, granted by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, follows an ex parte application from the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro SAN, who sought the order to manage the protests and prevent potential disruptions.
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The court’s directive limits the protests to these locations between 8 am and 6 pm each day.
The application listed as defendants Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (Take it Back Movement), as well as unspecified individuals and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Pedro argued that the protests could lead to significant disruptions and damage, recalling the chaos of the EndSARS demonstrations in 2020.
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He highlighted concerns over inadequate police resources and potential hijacking of the protests by individuals intent on causing violence.
The Attorney General stressed that while acknowledging citizens’ right to protest, it is crucial to safeguard public infrastructure and prevent economic disruption.
The court’s order aims to balance the right to protest with maintaining public order and protecting property.
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Justice Ogundare’s ruling aligns with the Lagos State Government’s stance to confine protests to controlled environments to ensure security and minimize disturbance to residents and businesses.
