Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere extended an earlier order on Tuesday that restricts protesters in Lagos to the Freedom and Peace Parks located in the Ojota and Ketu areas.
According to The PUNCH, this decision followed an application by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, seeking an extension of the initial restriction order.
The pre-action protocols for preemptive remedies had been complied with as ordered the previous week by another vacation judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare.
Represented in court by the Director for Civil Litigations, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, Pedro informed the court that the previous court order had been duly served on all respondents, in line with the pre-action protocols for preemptive reliefs sought against the protest representatives.
Pedro argued that despite the respondents’ lack of response to the application, it was necessary to extend the restriction order to the two specified venues to maintain the relative peace in Lagos amid the nationwide protests.
In her ruling, Justice Sonaike acknowledged the AG’s compliance with Justice Ogundare’s orders and extended the restriction of protests to the Freedom and Peace Parks in Ojota and Ketu until full compliance with the pre-action orders is achieved.
“Pre-emptive relief, earlier granted, is hereby extended. The lifespan of the intended order is hereby extended until there is full compliance with the protocol. Return date shall be 29th of August 2024,” Justice Sonaike stated.
The initial order by Justice Ogundare, issued the previous week on a preemptive ex parte application by Mr. Pedro, aimed to maintain public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property during the protests.
The application listed Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba, representing Active Citizens Group, Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto,bfor Take it Back Movement,bpersons unknown, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, as co-defendants.
Pedro argued that as the Chief Law Officer of the State and being aware of notices from various interests both supporting and opposing the nationwide protests, it was imperative to protect the state’s critical infrastructure and prevent the loss of lives and property, reminiscent of the EndSARS protests in 2020.
