Court Extends Protest Restrictions to Two Locations in Lagos

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has issued a renewed order limiting protests in Lagos to specific locations in Ojota and Ketu.

Justice S.I. Sonaike made this decision following a request from the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro, who sought an extension of a previous order granted after fulfilling necessary protocols for preventive measures. The initial protocols were set by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare, a vacation judge, during a prior hearing.

On Tuesday, the Attorney-General’s representative, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, informed the court that all necessary parties had been duly notified of the initial court order in accordance with established procedures to seek preventive measures against the protest leaders. By serving the court order, the Attorney-General ensured that all respondents were aware of the legal action taken against them.

Mr. Oyenuga argued that although the respondents had not yet responded to the application, there was a need to extend the restriction order to maintain the relative peace in the state despite ongoing protests across the country.

In her ruling, Justice Sonaike expressed satisfaction with the Attorney-General’s compliance with Justice Ogundare’s orders and extended the restriction of protests to Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas until full compliance with the preaction orders.

Last week, Justice Ogundare, ruling on a preemptive ex parte application filed by Mr. Pedro to maintain public safety and prevent loss of lives and property during the protests, placed restrictions on the protesters.

The co-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), persons unknown, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

Mr. Pedro argued before the court that as the Chief Law Officer of the State, and being aware of notices from different groups for and against the nationwide protest, there was a need to protect critical infrastructure and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property, as seen during the EndSARS protest in 2020.