Falana writes AGF over planned mass protest, seeks protection for participants

Femi Falana, lawyer to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has asked Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), to direct security operatives to ensure the safety of participants in the planned nationwide mass protest by the congress.

On February 16,  NLC declared a two-day nationwide mass protest to be held on February 27 and 28, over the economic hardship in the country. 

The labour also hinged its call for mass protest on the failure of the federal government to implement the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with workers.

But in a letter dated February 24 and addressed to Falana, the AGF said the federal government has substantially and reasonably complied with the items in the MOU.

Fagbemi said proceeding on the planned mass protest would amount to contempt given a restraining order of a national industrial court which has not been set aside.

However, responding to the AGF, Falana, in a letter, said there is no subsisting court order restraining the union from exercising its fundamental right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression to protest against the excruciating economic pains being experienced by the masses.

“We submit, without any fear of contradiction, that the proposed public protest of the NLC is not contemptuous of the two ex parte orders of the national industrial court,” Falana wrote.

“In particular, the issue of contempt does not arise as the NLC has challenged the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court to entertain the substantive case.

“It is further submitted that the National Industrial Court has not restrained the members of the NLC from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression to protest against the excruciating economic pains being experienced by the masses.

“While we have advised the members of the NLC to conduct the rallies scheduled for February 27-28, 2024 in a peaceful manner, we urge you to use your good offices to direct the Inspector-General of Police to provide adequate security to the conveners and participants in the protest in line with the provisions of Section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act.”