Lack Of Protesters At Ojota; Security Operatives Assume Control During #Endbadgovernanceprotest.

Osho Oluwatosin

Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, well-known as a protest ground in the area, has not witnessed the presence of #EndBadGovernance protesters at the time of reporting this update.

In past protests, Ojota had consistently served as one of the significant gathering points in Lagos Mainland for protesters, but it seems that there have been some changes for reasons yet undisclosed.

Instead of protesters, the park is now surrounded by fully uniformed men of the Nigeria police force. There are also several security vehicles stationed at the park to maintain law and order.

It should be noted that on Tuesday, the Lagos State High Court imposed restrictions on the proposed nationwide protest in Lagos, confining it to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park in Ketu.

Justice Emmanuel Ogundare granted the ex parte application filed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro.

The judge granted the application in the form of an interim injunction to restrain the defendants from converging and carrying out the planned protests in Lagos from August 1-10, except at the two approved locations, between 8 am and 6 pm.

He emphasized that while recognizing the citizens’ fundamental right to publicly protest against government policies and actions, it is necessary to prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process. Thus, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces in the State where citizens can congregate and express their dissatisfaction with the government.

The designated locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos State, and Peace Park in Ketu, Lagos State.