Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has extended an earlier order restricting protesters in Lagos to the Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of the state.
The extension was granted following an application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, for an extension order.
Pedro, represented in court by the Director for Civil Litigations, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, told the court that the service of the earlier court order had been served on all respondents, complying with the pre-action protocols for preemptive remedies ordered last week by another vacation judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare.
The Attorney-General argued that despite the respondents’ lack of response, there is a need to extend the earlier restriction order to maintain the relative peace being experienced in the state despite ongoing protests nationwide.
In her ruling, Justice Sonaike noted satisfaction with the AG’s compliance with Justice Ogundare’s orders and extended the restriction of protests to the two designated parks until full compliance with the pre-action orders. The new return date is set for August 29, 2024.
This development follows an earlier ruling by Justice Ogundare, who placed restrictions on protesters while granting a preemptive exparte application filed by Pedro. The application sought to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property during the protests.
The respondents in the suit include Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group); Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement); Persons unknown; and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
