A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere extended the restriction on protests in the state to Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas on Tuesday.
This decision was issued by Justice S.I. Sonaike following a request from the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN.
The application for the extension came after compliance with pre-action protocols for preemptive remedies, as ordered last week by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare. Representing Pedro in court, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, Director for Civil Litigations, informed the court that the initial order had been served to all respondents, ensuring adherence to the protocols.
Despite the respondents not yet responding, Pedro highlighted the importance of extending the restriction order to maintain peace in the state amidst the ongoing nationwide protests. Justice Sonaike, satisfied with the Attorney-General’s compliance, extended the protest restriction to the designated parks until full compliance with the pre-action orders is achieved.
Previously, Justice Ogundare had granted a preemptive ex parte application filed by Pedro to ensure public safety and prevent irreparable damage during the protests. The application listed Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take It Back Movement), unknown persons, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, as co-defendants.
Pedro, acting as the Chief Law Officer, noted his awareness of notices from various factions both in support of and against the nationwide protests. He emphasized the necessity to safeguard critical infrastructure and avoid a repeat of the violence experienced during the EndSARS protests in 2020.
