Court bars Peter Obi, Labour Party, others from protesting at Lekki Tollgate
The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has restrained Peter Obi’s Labour Party (LP) and its supporters from using the Lekki Tollgate as a base to hold the ‘Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally’.
This followed a lawsuit filed by a group of legal practitioners, who sought to halt the rally, specifically in Lagos, Nigeria’s most popular metropolitan city, to avoid a reminiscence of the #EndSARS protest in 2020.
The lawyers, through their lead counsel, Temilola Awosika, had filed a motion at the Federal High Court, asking that Mr Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, be barred from using the Lekki Tollgate for their rally.
They told the court that holding the rally would cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1729/2022; Mr Obi, Labour Party, Mr Baba-Ahmed, the Inspector General of Police, police commissioner in Lagos, SSS director-general, Lekki Concession Company Limited, Lagos attorney-general and the governor of Lagos, were among those joined as defendants in the case.
Mr Obi’s supporters had fixed Friday, October 1, 2022, for the rally to draw support for their preferred candidate.
Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Daniel Osiagor asked the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, to ensure compliance with the court order.
Mr Osiagor held that while Mr Obi’s supporters cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, they can pass through the venue to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.
However, a preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction could not be entertained.
The parties to the suit claimed they were yet to be served.
The Federal High Court later adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit to November 4, 2022.
Supporters of Mr Obi, who branded themselves as ‘Obidient’ have being holding rallies in Nigeria’s major towns, to garner support ahead of the 2023 general election.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Speaker Abbas hails Shettima’s re-nomination as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027
Mr Tajudeen said the vice president had remained dependable since assuming office.
NationWide
Harmonisation reforms will promote pension equity, restore confidence: PTAD
PTAD manages pensions under the old Federal Government pension arrangement.
NationWide
Mixed reactions trail FG’s N50,000 approval for WAEC, NECO exam fee
Ms Ogunkoya urged the government to balance cost recovery with citizens’ access to essential public services.
Hot news Home top
Man arrested for allegedly beating wife to death over food in Nasarawa
The police spokesman added that the suspect expressed remorse over the incident.
Heading 5
Seven die in Bauchi-Maiduguri road crash
The police spokesperson said an investigation had commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
World
FBI offers $50,000 reward for information on fugitive wanted for violent crimes
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Mr Singh in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California on July 1.
