Falana Calls for Arrest, Prosecution of Police Officers Over Pensioners’ Rally Disruption
Senior lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and prosecute police personnel who allegedly violently disrupted a peaceful rally by pensioners at Alausa, Ikeja,
Renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and prosecute officers responsible for violently interrupting a peaceful pensioners' rally in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State. In his statement "IGP MUST ARREST AND PROSECUTE THE POLICE PERSONNEL WHO VIOLENTLY DISRUPTED THE PEACEFUL RALLY OF PENSIONERS", Falana emphasized that the disturbance infringed upon the constitutional rights of the protesters to assemble and protest against government policies.
He referenced the Court of Appeal's decision in Inspector General of Police v All Nigerian People Party (2008) 12 WRN 65, which upheld a Federal High Court ruling that annulled police permits for such rallies in Nigeria. According to the judgment by Justice Adekeye JCA, rallies and placard-carrying demonstrations are recognized expressions of views on issues affecting the governed in a sovereign state.
Falana argued that Nigeria should follow the lead of civilized countries that recognize the importance of such demonstrations, rather than continue requiring permits to hold rallies. The lawyer pointed out that section (4) of the Nigeria Police Force Establishment Act 2020 obligates police officers in charge of rally areas to provide security cover, and the violent interruption of the pensioners' rally at Alausa constituted a blatant violation of protesters' rights to assemble and protest against the Lagos State Government's failure to pay their pensions on time.
Falana demanded that the Inspector-General of Police take immediate action and bring the responsible officers to justice.
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