Justice Daniel Osiagor, who gave the orders on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, also directed the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, to ensure compliance with the order.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Federal High Court in Lagos State has declined to stop supporters of the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, from holding their #Obidatti Forward Ever Rally in the state.
It, however, order that the supporters must not converge at the Lekki Tollgate for the rally which is scheduled to hold on October 1, 2022.
The court also held that while they cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, they can pass through the venue to Falomo Bridge and other venues where the rally will hold.
Justice Daniel Osiagor, who gave the orders on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, also directed the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, to ensure compliance with the order.
He was ruling on a motion for injunction brought by 10 plaintiffs who sought to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure and their loyalists from holding the rally.
A preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction could not be entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served.
The 10 plaintiffs in the suit ate 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.
On the other hand, 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 Lagos State Governor.
The plaintiffs argued that the rally would be a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally”.
They said the rally will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.
The court adjourned hearing of the substantive suit to November 4, 2022.