Hardship Protest: Lagos Court Restricts Nationwide Protest to Designated Parks

A Lagos High Court has imposed restrictions on the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, limiting demonstrations to two specific locations: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu.

The decision was made by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare following a preemptive ex parte application filed by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN.

The application sought to ensure public safety and prevent potential damage to lives and property during the protest. The court order restricts the protests to the two approved parks, preventing any gatherings or demonstrations in other parts of Lagos.

The application named Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (representing the Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (representing the Take it Back Movement), and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, as co-defendants.

Mr. Pedro argued that various groups, both in support of and against the protest, were planning to participate. He stressed the need to safeguard critical infrastructure and avoid a repeat of the widespread destruction witnessed during the EndSARS protests in 2020.

Pedro noted that the police in Lagos State lack the necessary manpower to provide adequate security across all local government areas, public highways, and other public spaces. He also highlighted concerns about the potential for the protest to be exploited by individuals seeking to disrupt law and order.

The ruling comes amid rising tensions as preparations for the nationwide protest approach. According to Pedro, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces for the protest to balance citizens’ right to protest with the need to prevent unlawful destruction.

Justice Ogundare’s ruling includes:

1. Restriction Order: An interim injunction restraining the protest from taking place outside the designated locations—Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park—between August 1 and August 10, 2024. The protests are permitted at these locations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

2. Preservation Order: An order directing the 6th Defendant (the police) to protect the fundamental rights of the protesters at the designated locations and to provide security and traffic management support from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the protest period.

3. Service Order: An order for substituted service of the court’s decision and related documents via national newspapers, which will be deemed sufficient for informing the defendants.

Justice Ogundare’s order aims to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and prevent disruption.