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Judge restricts hardship protests in Lagos to Freedom, Peace Park

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Justice Emmanuel Ogundare of the High Court of Lagos State, yesterday, restricted protesters in the state taking part in the proposed August 1 nationwide protest, to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, Ketu.

The judge took the decision following a pre-emptive ex-parte application instituted by the Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) seeking to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.

The co-defendants in the suit are Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement), Persons unknown and Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos State.

In moving the application, Pedro (SAN) maintained that as the Chief Law Officer of the State and having been privy to notices by different interests who are for and against the nationwide protest, there is a need to protect the critical infrastructures of the State and prevent an irreparable loss of lives and property as witnessed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.

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The AG who maintained that the Police in the State do not have sufficient manpower to provide security support for the protesters who planned to protest in all the local government councils and public highways and other areas of public access in the State, insisted that there is a need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums who are prepared to breach law and order and cause destruction in different locations in the State in the pretext of public protest against alleged bad governance.

Pedro said, “In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage a public protest against government policies and actions but prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces and locations in the State where citizens can meet and converge to protest or express their displeasure against government.

“The locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State, and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos State.

“Public protest in all the local government councils and public highways as well as other areas of public access in the State for 10 days is a deliberate plan to shut down the State, and if this is allowed, it will amount to economic sabotage.

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“An order of the court is required in the circumstances to protect the fundamental rights of the 1st to 5th defendants/respondents to protest, and other residents opposed to the protest to go about their lawful businesses without harassment, disturbance, and destruction of public buildings/properties.”

In his decision, Justice Ogundare held: An order of pre-emptive remedy by way of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st to 5th defendants/respondents whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or any other person(s) acting through them from converging and carrying out their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, procession and meetings in Lagos State from the 1st-10th August 2024 excerpt in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings, to wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos from 8 .00am to 6 pm pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the claimant.

“An order of pre-emptive remedy by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th defendant to protect the fundamental rights of the 1st to 5th defendants/respondents to freedom of association, peaceful public protest, procession, and rallies in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies, and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos, from 8 am to 6 pm on August 1-10, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the claimant.

“An order of pre-emptive remedy by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th defendant to provide security support and traffic management support to the 1st to 5th defendants at the approved designated location for their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State, and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos from 8 am to 6 pm on 1st -10th August 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the claimant.

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“An order of substituted service of the order of this court in this matter, the Memorandum of Claim/Letter of Claim and all other pre-action protocols documents on the 1st-5th defendants/respondents by Newspaper publication in a National daily to wit: any other widely read newspaper and the service shall be deemed as good and sufficient service on the defendants/respondents.”

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Brain Drain, Infrastructure, Resource Allocation Challenges Of Health Sector – Reps

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has highlighted the detrimental impact of the mass migration of health workers from Nigeria, describing it as a major challenge to the country’s healthcare system.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions,  Rep. Amos Magaji, stated this during a public hearing on 16 bills aimed at establishing various health institutions, on Thursday in Abuja.
Rep. Magaji underscored the need for better distribution of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to address population growth and healthcare gaps.
He noted, “Recently, there has been an enormous migration of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in search of ‘greener pastures,’ leaving Nigeria’s health sector severely understaffed. To improve the sector, we must invest in human resources, medical intelligence, and the administrative appointment of capable persons based on merit.”
The Chairman also brought to light the infrastructural deficiencies in healthcare institutions across the country, citing inadequate funding, lack of maintenance, and insufficient equipment as recurring issues.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, in his submission warned against the duplication of health institutions, and stated that such efforts would strain the already scarce resources.
He explained, “Existing Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centers in Nigeria, including those in the North West, already provide cardiovascular care and related services. Establishing a new institute would add financial burden without addressing the core issues.”
Pate also acknowledged the migration of health workers and the need for a stronger workforce to handle emerging health challenges.
“The Federal Ministry of Health supports the establishment of new institutions but insists on considering geographical spread, population density, and disease burden in proposed locations,” he added.
The hearing emphasised the need for balanced development in the healthcare sector, adequate funding for existing institutions, and policies to retain health professionals in Nigeria.
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Access Bank (UK) Limited to Acquire AfrAsia Bank Limited

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By Gloria Ikibah
Access Holdings PLC has announced that its subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited (“Access UK”), has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, the third-largest bank in Mauritius by total assets.
Mauritius, known for its strong financial sector, which contributes 13.4 per cent to its GDP, offers Access UK a strategic base to grow its personal and corporate banking services.
This was contained in a statement by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, made available to Naijablitznews.com on Thursday.
According to Ekwochi, the acquisition will also position Mauritius as a hub for Access Bank’s trade finance operations, enhancing its ability to manage cross-border transactions across Africa and internationally.
AfrAsia Bank, as of June 30, 2024, reported total assets of over $5.7 billion and a net profit after tax of $152.4 million, underlining its solid financial position.
**Key statements on the acquisition:**
– Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, speaking on the acquisition said:  “This acquisition is a crucial step in our African growth strategy, strengthening our position as a top Pan-African financial institution. Mauritius’ role as a financial hub aligns with our vision to unlock opportunities that drive trade, support businesses, and promote economic inclusion across the region.”
Also Managing Director of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, stated: “AfrAsia Bank’s strong balance sheet and established brand in Mauritius give us a solid platform for sustainable growth. This deal supports our strategy to diversify earnings and provide clients with seamless access to global markets.”
Access Bank UK aims to promote sustainable growth, deliver innovative financial solutions, and support trade between Africa and the world.
The acquisition process will be finalized in the coming months, with updates provided as needed.
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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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