Protest: Adegboruwa Replies IGP, Lists Venues Across Nigeria

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the representative of one of the brains behind the proposed nationwide protest starting from August 1, the “Take it Back Movement”, has sent the venues of the protest in some major cities across Nigeria to the Nigerian Police.

Adegboruwa in his response to a letter by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun requesting a meeting with the organisers of the protest, gave the venues as the Eagles Square in Abuja, Alausa Park by Secretariat in Lagos, Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road in Ibadan, Freedom Park, Oshogbo,

Others are Opposite School of Agric, Bauchi, along Tafawa Balewa Road, Opposite Wema Bank, Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; Maiduguri Roundabout; opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State and Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium in Rivers State.

Although the list is still expanding, the venues were the ones the movement’s lawyer, Olu-Adegboruwa, has sent to the Inspector General of Police early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

The lawyer also requested an extension of the meeting to include other stakeholders, requesting that the meeting be held virtually and led by another human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN.

The Lagos based lawyer specifically mentioned that the meeting will be led by Falana and will also have in attendance representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) other lawyers and civil society organisations.

The letter read in part, “We act as solicitors to the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, and refer to our letter on the above subject-matter dated July 26, 2024 and your response thereto dated July 29, 2024, Ref. CJ:2400/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.1/10, which we have passed to our Client with instructions to respond thereto as follows.

“Our Client acknowledges the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police towards complying with extant legislations granting citizens the right to hold public meetings, public rallies and public processions and the lawful discharge of the obligations placed upon the police to provide adequate coverage and protection at the venues.

“We shall be glad to have the contact details of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police designated to cover the said public meetings, public rallies and public processions, to ensure a peaceful and crisis-free outing.

“We shall update you with further details in the course of time, hoping that the above information suffices for planning and strategy. We are delighted to attend the meeting with the Inspector-General of Police as requested.

“However, in order to achieve enlarged participation, we request that the said meeting be held virtually, in order to give room for all stakeholders to attend.

“Specifically, we will be led in the said meeting by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the NBA, other lawyers and civil society organisations. We await the Zoom link for the said virtual meeting.

“While thanking you for your kind consideration and support, please accept the best assurances of our highest regards, always.”