Don’t Block Lekki Toll Gate For Your Rally,  Court Tells Obi’s supporters 

Don’t Block Lekki Toll Gate For Your Rally,  Court Tells Obi’s supporters 

A Lagos Federal High Court, ordered the Labour Party (LP) and its supporters not to converge at the Lekki Toll gate for their rally tagged #Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally”, slated for October 1, 2022.

Justice Daniel Osiagor, who presided over the court, despite barring them from blocking the Lekki toll gate for the rally, did not stop the supporters from holding the rally in Lagos State.

The judge directed that the rally procession cannot converge at the Lekki toll gate, but that the procession can pass through the toll gate to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.

The judge also directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Lagos State Police Commissioner, to ensure compliance with the order.

Osiagor made the order today while ruling on a motion for injunction brought by 10 plaintiffs, who are asking the court 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.

The court, according to media reports today, also held that while Obi’s supporters cannot stop at the Lekki toll gate, they can pass through the venue to access Falomo Bridge and other venues at which the rally plans to meet.

A preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction, could however not be entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served.
The court adjourned hearing of the substantive suit to November 4, 2022

The plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1729/2022 are: 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.

 While the respondents includes: the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, 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 The Governor of Lagos State.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1729/2022, filed an ex parte motion through their counsel Mr. Dada Awosika, SAN, leading Temilolu Adamolekun and others.

They argued that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.

They prayed the court for four reliefs.”An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants; their associates and loyalists from conducting the scheduled END SARS Rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally on the 1st of October, 2020 or any other subsequent date, at the Lekki Toll Gate until the hearing and determination of the Motion-On-Notice dated September 12, 2022.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants and their loyalists from further planning and promoting the Scheduled END SARS Rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally”….

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 5th 6th, 7th Defendants from allowing or granting permissions to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants, their agents and the organizers of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” at the behest of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October, 2022 and any other subsequent date…

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 8th Defendant (LCC) from granting permission to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants; their agents, privies, allies and loyalists, to make use of the Lekki Toll Gate or any space under and within the control of the 8th Defendant for carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October, 2022 and any other subsequent date…”

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