The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has appealed for calm over the impending nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Speaking on Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi urged all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted peacefully to prevent being hijacked by miscreants, owing to the previous ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country.
While acknowledging the grievances of the Labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, the IGP ordered the Commissioners of Police to foster understanding between parties.
“In light of this, the IGP orders the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests. A peaceful and coordinated approach is crucial to achieving meaningful solutions and preventing any form of violence or disruptions to public order, should the protests persist.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been emplaced. However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with a firm, professional, and commensurate lawful approach. The Police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country.
In light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens. The IGP, therefore calls on all officers to be vigilant, and professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.
The Police boss urges all stakeholders, including the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances, while also reemphasizing that the Police is committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement and mutual understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights.”
On Monday, the NLC had, in a letter from the Falana Chambers through the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, stated that there is no order, be it interim, interlocutory, or perpetual stopping the union from protesting on August 2nd 2023 over the fuel subsidy removal, economic hardship on Nigerians and the lack of palliative from the government. .
The letter as seen by Vanguard entitled; ”Re-NLC in contempt of court,” signed by Sam Ogala Esq. reads below;
“In your reaction to the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country, you were reported to have accused the leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt.
“Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court to the effect that ‘The defendants/Respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, dated June 5, 2023.’
“You will agree with us that the National Industrial Court or any other court has not granted an order of interim, interlocutory, or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Since the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully cannot by any stretch of the imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature, you ought not to have threatened our client with contempt of court.
“It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65 where the court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without a police permit. In the leading judgment of the court, Justice Adekeye said as follows:
The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.
If as speculated by law enforcement agents that breach of the peace would occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against the breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of the permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.
”Finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of the democratic rights of every citizen of the republic; our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.
Having advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020, which states that ‘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 cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”
