The state government has warned organisers against disrupting public order, urging them to adhere to restrictions to Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu as ordered by a Lagos High Court.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that protests must be confined to two designated parks, as the planned #FearlessInOctober protests approach.
The state government has warned organisers against disrupting public order, urging them to adhere to restrictions to Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu as ordered by a Lagos High Court.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), reminded organisers that the government’s stance on protest venues remains unchanged.
Pedro told journalists on Sunday that the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, “is not opposed to any group of residents expressing their views about any government by way of public protest as it is their fundamental right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution”.
However, Pedro added that protests must align with the law, noting, “The fundamental rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly is not absolute.”
He stressed that protests outside designated areas would not be tolerated to avoid criminal elements hijacking the event.
Organisers had announced plans to gather at Ikeja Under Bridge at 7 am to march through various streets, raising awareness about “anti-poor policies” of the Federal Government.
The state police command has, however, reinforced security measures across Lagos ahead of the protests.
Pedro insisted that organisers should utilise designated parks, saying, “It is the same set or group of people that organised the last protest that is planning the October 1 protest, so they should be guided by the interim preservative order of injunction of court restricting public protest in the state to designated venues.”
