Ekiti state police ban ‘illegal’ gatherings and protests

Ahead of Tuesday’s planned protest against the remand of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi by an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, the Ekiti State Police Command on Friday banned all ‘illegal’ gatherings and protests in the state.

Mr. Farotimi was accused of authoring and publishing a book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which alleges that Mr. Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to secure a fraudulent judgment for his clients.

Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, has called for protests in Lagos, Abuja, and Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, December 10—the same day the court will hear the bail application filed by Mr. Farotimi’s legal team.

In a statement released by Ekiti police spokesperson Abutu Sunday, the police announced the prohibition of protests to ensure peace and public safety.

“Any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration, or protest is unacceptable as intelligence report available has it that some unscrupulous individuals have planned to hide under this protest to hijack it and unleash mayhem and create apprehension in the state,” the statement read.

“The Command, under the leadership of CP Akinwale Kunle Adeniran, mni, is assuring everyone of adequate security during and after this Ember months period while seeking for more support, collaboration, and obedience to law and order.

“In view of this, the Command, to sustain the peace, Parents and Guardians are therefore implored to advise their wards to shun any act that is inimical to the peace and security of the State, as anyone who runs foul of this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

In addition to banning protests, the police have prohibited the use of fireworks during the Yuletide and beyond, citing security concerns.

The statement emphasized that “the use of the various fireworks at times creates panic and confusion as it could be difficult to differentiate their sounds from the real gunshot sound.”

It further added: “The Command has also placed a ban on the sales and use of fireworks, knockouts, and firecrackers in the state, as these are capable of causing security threats, distractions, unnecessary apprehension, and health-related issues.

“The Command, therefore, enjoins all residents to be security conscious and to promptly report any untoward incident or observation that may be inimical to the peace and security of Ekiti State to the nearest Police Station or call 08062335577.”