A group, Take it Back Movement, on Friday, identified itself as one of the organisers of the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests scheduled for 1st to 15th August, seeking the protection of the police throughout the duration of the mass action.
Towards this end, a senior lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), who is the group’s counsel has written the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to inform the Nigeria Police Force about his clients’ preparations for the proposed action.
Recall that the IGP had at a press conference in Abuja urged the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance to reveal their identity while also listing the conditions that must be fulfilled by any group planning to participate in the planned nationwide protests.
Adegboruwa, in his letter dated July 26, 2004 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, stated that he is the lawyer to the group, stressing that he is seeking for police protection during his client’s meetings, rallies and processions at the Eagle Square in Abuja and the 36 states of the federation.
The lawyer made a copy of the acknowledged letter from the office of the IGP available to TheIdeal News on Friday
Adegboruwa also submitted similar letter to the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) while the acknowledged copy of the letter was also made available to the news platform.
Adegboruwa informed both the IGP and the DSS in the letter that the meetings, rallies and processions by his client and other patriotic Nigerians and organisations will take place nationwide as from August 1- 10, 2024.
In the letter with Ref: A&C/RC/L- 21/07/2024 and titled, “Notice of public meetings/rallies/ processions and request for police coverage,” Adegboruwa further disclosed that he is making the request in pursuant to Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and also Section 83 of the Police Act, 2020.
Below is the full text of Adegboruwa’s letter to the IGP:
We act as solicitors to the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, to notify your esteemed office, of PUBLIC MEETINGS/RALLIES/PROCESSIONS being organized by the Take It Back Movement, all its members and other patriotic Nigerians/Organisations.
This application is made pursuant to sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and also section 83 of the Police Act, 2020, the latter which provides as follows:
“83 (1) The Police Force is responsible for maintaining and securing public safety and public order.
(2) The Police Force shall, in carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (1):
(a) uphold the provisions of the Constitution and other laws;
(b) uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all persons in Nigeria, and
(c)be fair to all persons in Nigeria notwithstanding their economic status or religious, ethnic or political beliefs and affiliations.
(4)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 cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”
The meetings/rallies/processions will commence from AUGUST 1 TO 10, 2024 or any time thereafter at Eagle’s Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 States of the Federation and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils, commencing from 8am continuously until the end thereof. The meetings/rallies/processions may extend to and cover public highways and other locations of public access.
We will be glad to have the details of any police officer or police team that you may assign to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions in order to harmonize the plans and strategies of the said puplic meetings/rallies/processions.
While thanking you for your kind consideration and support, you may wish to contact the undersigned for further information or inquiry.
