Armed security operatives have taken over Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State ahead of the rally planned by supporters of Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, billed for Saturday.
“In continuation of its routine convoy patrol of the metropolis as directed by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi is presently leading RRS team and Lagos Taskforce on convoy patrol of the city,” the Lagos State Police Command said in a tweet on Friday.
“Law abiding citizens are encouraged to go about their lawful businesses.”
Recall that on Wednesday a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued an order restricting the Labour Party and supporters of Obi, from converging at the Lekki Tollgate for the #Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally.
“Security Officials Deployed To Lekki Toll Gate And Strategic Areas In Lagos State To Maintain And Enforce The Law Ahead Of Peter Obituary Tomorrow’s Rally. To beat the hell out of them tomorrow,” a witness said on Friday.
The party and its supporters scheduled 1st of October, Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration for its mega rally ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The High court order was sequel to a motion for injunction brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor, by 10 plaintiffs, asking the court to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure and their loyalists from holding the rally.
In the suit, 10 plaintiffs through their Romeo Ese Michael, Esq. are asking the court to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure and their loyalists from holding the rally, until the hearing and determination of their Motion-On-Notice of September 12, 2022.
The plaintiffs include Adedotun Ajulo Esq., Salamatu Suleiman Lewi Esq., Hakeem Ijaduola, Esq., Ogunbona Akinpelu Esq., Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Esq., Mogbojuri Kayode Esq., Wuyep Mantim Nadom Esq., Dimimu Mabel, Esq., Kolawole Salami, Esq. and Mr. Wale Abe Lawrence.
The 1st to 10th defendants are Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and The Governor of Lagos State.
In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs are arguing among other things that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally,” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.
In his ruling, Justice Osiagor held that while the rally could not stop at the Lekki toll gate, it could pass through the venue to access the Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally planned to meet.
It was gathered that a preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction was not entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit to November 4.