By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Barely 48 hours to the nationwide #Endthebadgovernance# protest scheduled to begin on Thursday August 1, the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on Monday, July 29, sent an invitation to human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) to discuss with him on the proposed August 1 protest.
According to the letter of invitation, Egbetokun slated the meeting to be held July 30.
The IGP’s invitation according to the letter signed by his Principal Staff Officer(PSO), Johnson Adenola, a Police Commissioner, is to deliberate on Adegboruwa’s request of providing security for the protesters.
In the letter the IGP also stated that he had directed Deputy Inspectors General(operations and intelligence) and Assistant Inspectors General across the country to carry out the request of Adegboruwa to protect the protesters across the country.
In a letter dated July 26, 2024 titled “Notice of Public meetings, rallies, processions, and request for police coverage”, Adegboruwa had requested the police to provide security cover for the protesters come August 1. The letter stated that he (Adegboruwa) is a lawyer to the “Take it back movement”, one of the alleged groups organizing the protest.
The letter reads:
The Inspector-General of Police,
Nigeria Police Force,
Force Headquarters,
Shehu Shagari Way,
FCT, Abuja.
Dear Sir,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS/RALLIES/PROCESSIONS AND REQUEST FOR POLICE COVERAGE
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 public meetings/rallies/processions.
While thanking you for your kind consideration and support, you may wish to contact the undersigned for further information or inquiry.
Yours sincerely,
EBUN-OLU ADEGBORUWA, SAN
