Lekki toll gate protesters ‘to be charged to court’

Protesters arrested at the Lekki toll gate are to be charged to court before the end of the day.

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, told TheCable on Saturday that  he had been informed by the Lagos state attorney-general that the arrested protesters will appear before a mobile court in Yaba, Lagos.

According to Falana, they are being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.

He said he had sent two lawyers to represent the protesters.

The protesters assembled at the Lekki toll gate on Saturday to campaign against the directive given to the Lekki Concession Company to resume tolling operations at the toll gate.

Several protesters including, Mr Macaroni, a comedian, were arrested at the toll gate.

Some people who claimed to be spectators were also arrested.

A judicial panel set up by the Lagos state government to to investigate cases of human rights violation and happenings of the October 20, 2020, shooting at the Lekki toll gate approved that LCC resume tolling operations at the toll gate.

Falana, who is also the interim chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has also demanded for the immediate release of protesters arrested by the police at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

In a statement on Saturday, Falana said ASCAB had confirmed the arrest of not less that 20 youths who were planning to take part in a peaceful protest at the tollgate.

He said the fundamental rights of the protesters were crudely breached, and demanded for their immediate release.

“By arresting the protesters instead of providing them with adequate security the Police engaged in a provocative contravention of section 83 (4) of the Nigeria Police Act which states as follows: 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 to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” the statement read.

“ASCAB calls on the Lagos state commissioner of police to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the protesters because they did not commit any criminal offence by exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.”

ASCAB also urged the Lagos state judiciary not to allow courts be used to cover up the illegality that was perpetrated.