Condemnation has greeted the clampdown on Lekki tollgate protesters with many prominent Nigerians and groups faulting the action of security agencies.The action of the state actors, they said, was unacceptable and unnecessary.
Among prominent Nigerians, who criticised the aborted protest at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, over the weekend were Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN); Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, (SAN); Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos branch, Adeshina Ogunlana and a non-governmental organisation, Youth Rights Campaign.
The action of the state actors, they insisted, was uncalled for as the protesters had an inalienable right to express themselves.
Security operatives had on Saturday aborted the protest, cordoning off the facility and arresting no fewer than 20 persons at the scene. Police said the arrests were part of the pre-emptive measures against the Occupy Lekki toll gate protest.
Scores of protesters were allegedly killed last October 20 by security operatives as they converged on the facility to press against police brutality in the country.
Ozekhome, while appraising the development, said the action of the state actors was illegal and unconstitutional.
The radical constitutional lawyer added, “The arrest, taking away in a Black Maria, and detention of Debo Makaroni and other peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate today is patently illegal and totally unconstitutional. At least, the Nigerian Constitution has not been abrogated by this dictatorial government of impunity.
“Sections 40 and 41 of the said constitution give Debo and other Nigerians the right to peaceful assembly and association, and the right to freedom of movement.
#EndSARS: Nigerians have right to protest – Adegboruwa
Adegboruwa said he was saddened by the disruption of the protest by security operatives.
He said, “My heart is very heavy. I’m saddened and devastated. My soul is sorely troubled at this time.
“For decades before the advent of this administration, Nigerians have risked their lives, liberties, their times and their energies, their resources, to win back this country on the side of democracy and good government, from military dictatorship. Some have paid the supreme price with their lives.
“I have been monitoring events at the Lekki Toll Gate since morning, and I am totally overwhelmed with the images, videos and sundry evidence of police brutality of armless civilians, who ventured to protest at the Toll Gate. In one particular video, I saw citizens of Nigeria being dehumanized, striped half naked and cramped together in a rickety bus. This is totally unacceptable.
“While we are yet to come to terms with the events of October 20, 2020, it becomes worrisome that the security agencies have not learnt any positive lesson from those occurrences. I commend the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to sit at any Panel of Inquiry to heal wounds and end police brutality, when fresh assaults are being perpetrated with impunity. Consequently, I am presently consulting with my constituency within the civil society, as to my continued participation in the EndSARS Judicial Panel.”
For the Lagos NBA chairman, the protesters were only trying to express their rights to opinion.
A senior lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, said, “Saturday’s protest was peaceful but disrupted by overzealous policemen who ironically outnumbered the protesters but nevertheless constituted threats and violated the right of the unarmed protesters.
“It is expected that during peaceful protest, part of Nigeria police duties is to maintain law and order as well as to secure the right of the protesters in the course of getting their voices heard.
“I condemn the arrest and realisation of the protesters”.
The YRC, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of ‘sowing tension and fear’ among the citizens. The group made the claim in a statement signed by its Co-ordinator, Michael Adaramoye, and Secretary, Francis Nwapa.
The YRC added, “We affirm that peaceful protest is a right not privilege. This right cannot be suppressed under the false pretext and specious argument of preventing the destruction of public and private properties.
We note that this false hysteria over alleged threat “to burn Lagos” or “cause destruction” has become the default response of a supposedly democratic government and its hirelings each time citizens decide to exercise their freedom of speech and assembly.
“This in our opinion is a sign that the Buhari APC government is sowing tension and fear in order to keep the oppressed masses in a state of inertia and thereby unable to act to fight for their interests.”
