Preparing for tomorrow's massive public rally, the Save Nigeria Group today requested the Nigeria Police Force to provide security personnel for the event. In an application made by the lawyer to the group, Femi Falana , the Group drew upon the 2008 judgment given in the case of the Inspector General of Police vs the All Nigeria Peoples' Party, in which the Court of Appeal famously upheld the fundamental right of Nigerian citizens to hold rallies without the necessity of a police permit.
Save Nigeria Group plans to begin its rally tomorrow at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, at 10:00a.m., and finish at the National Assembly. It is expected to be attended by thousands of Nigerians who are concerned about the situation in the country.
The text of SNG's application is as follows:
January 11, 2010
The Inspector-General of Police,
Police Force Headquarters,
Louis Edet House,
Abuja.
REQUEST FOR SECURITY AT A PUBLIC RALLY.
We are Solicitors to the SAVE NIGERIA GROUP (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) on whose behalf we write this letter.
We have the instructions of our client to request you to provide security personnel at a rally slated for Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The program which will commence at 10.00am at the Unity Fountain, Abuja is expected to be concluded at 2:00pm at the premises of the National Assembly.
This request is firmly predicated on the historic judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65, where the fundamental right of Nigerian citizens to hold rallies without police permit was upheld. According to Adekeye JCA (as she then was):
“… a rally of placard carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state. It is a trend recognized and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilized countries – it will not only be primitive but also retrogressive if Nigeria continues to require a pass to hold a rally. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience”.
In the light of the foregoing, it is hoped that you will grant our client’s request having regard to the above judicial authority.
Yours sincerely,
FEMI FALANA
articleadsbanner
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });