Peter Obi, supporters mustn’t hold Lekki tollgate rally – FHC
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party and his supporters cannot hold their planned rally at the Admiralty toll plaza, Lekki. This is the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos division.
Obi’s supporters had planned to replicate its rally already held in different states in Lagos on October 1st. But a group of legal practitioners filed a suit, opposing the rally from holding in Lagos. They argued that Lagos, being Nigeria’s most popular metropolitan city, might face wanton destruction and security breach as it happened during the 2020 #EndSARS protest.
Temilola Awosika, lead counsel for the lawyers, told the court that holding the rally would result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public. The defendants to the suit are Obi, his running mate Baba-Ahmed; the Inspector General of Police; Lagos police commissioner; SSS director-general; Lekki Concession Company Limited; Lagos attorney-general; and the governor of Lagos.
Ruling, Justice Daniel Osiagor barred Obi’s supporters from holding the rally while instructing the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, to ensure compliance with the court order.
Osiagor held that while Obi’s supporters cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, they can pass through the venue to access Falomo Bridge and other venues.
A preliminary objection by Obi supporters against hearing of the suit failed.
The court has adjourned the hearing in the substantive suit to November 4, 2022.
