Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to provide security cover for the demonstrators of the planned nationwide protests.
The legal practitioner, in a letter addressed to Egbetokun and dated Friday, July 26, 2024, introduced himself as a solicitor to the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, which is in charge of the planned demonstrations that have garnered public attention.
Adegboruwa backed his request up with sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and also section 83 of the Police Act, 2020.
He explained to the IGP that the police force is responsible for maintaining and securing public safety and public order.
Quoting the Constitution, Adegbpruwa said, “Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway, or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting, rally or procession will take place, shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”
Furthermore, he noted that “the processions will commence from August 1 to 10, 2024 or any time thereafter at Eagle’s Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 States of the Federation and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.”
“We will be glad to have the details of any police officer or police team that you may assign to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions in order to harmonize the plans and strategies of the said puplic meetings/rallies/processions,” he added.
