The Labour Party and its supporters are not to congregate at the Lekki toll gate for its #Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally scheduled to take place on October 1, 2022, according to an order by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, and Inspector General of Police Usman Baba were both given instructions by the court to make sure the ruling was followed.
The order was made today by Justice Daniel Osiagor in response to a motion for injunction filed by ten plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs were requesting the court to prevent the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure, and their supporters from holding the rally, among other things.
The court also held that while Obi’s supporters cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, they can pass through the venue to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.
A preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction could however not be entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served.
The court adjourned hearing of the substantive suit to November 4, 2022.
In the suit, 10 plaintiffs are Adedotun Ajulo Esq., Salamatu Suleiman Lewi Esq., Hakeem Ijaduola, Esq., Ogunbona Akinpelu Esq., Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Esq., Mogbojuri Kayode Esq., Wuyep Mantim Nadom Esq., Dimimu Mabel, Esq., Kolawole Salami, Esq. and Mr. Wale Abe Lawrence.
The 1st to 10th defendants are Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and The Governor of Lagos State.
In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs are arguing among other things that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.
