Falana, who said this in a statement he personally signed and issued on Monday ahead of the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stressed that peaceful protesters had the constitutional right to be protected by the police and not the police to dish out threats on them.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has said that it is the duty of the Nigeria Police Force to protect Nigerians during a peaceful protest and not to threaten them.
Falana, who said this in a statement he personally signed and issued on Monday ahead of the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stressed that peaceful protesters had the constitutional right to be protected by the police and not the police to dish out threats on them.
SaharaReporters had reported that Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Service (DSS) had asked the NLC to shelve its planned two-day nationwide protest against government indifference in the current hardship, rising inflation and high cost of living.
The DSS had said that the labour union’s planned nationwide hunger protest is a contempt of court and should not be carried out.
SaharaReporters reported on Sunday that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned the government against attacking members and protesters during its planned nationwide protest scheduled for tomorrow, February 27 and Wednesday, February 28.
In his statement, Falana said that Section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 specifically provides if a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the people involved.
He therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the protesters are given adequate security by the various police commands in the country.
The human rights lawyer said, “In view of the threat of some police officers to clamp down on members of the Nigeria Labour Congress who have resolved to protest against hardship in the country from February 27-28, 2024, it is pertinent to point out that protesters are entitled to police protection.
"Specifically, section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides as follows: ‘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 to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.’
“We are compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the protesters are given adequate security by the various police commands in the country.”