Sowore Vows To Protest In Lagos Over Oworonshoki Illegal Demolitions Despite Police Threats
Sowore Vows To Protest In Lagos Over Oworonshoki Illegal Demolitions Despite Police Threats
According to him, he was scheduled to travel to Lagos for a protest and was checking for available flights.
Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to enter Lagos State to protest against the ongoing illegal demolitions in the Oworonshoki area, despite threats from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh.
Sowore made this known shortly after he was granted bail in Abuja on Monday alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor; Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and 11 other protesters.
They had been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, last week.
Sowore stated that they had just been released from what he described as illegal, unjust, and inhumane detention by the Bola Tinubu administration, allegedly orchestrated by the “illegal” Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
According to him, he was scheduled to travel to Lagos for a protest and was checking for available flights.
“They (the police) can warn themselves; they can’t warn me. You can’t warn me about my rights. They are the ones who need to be reminded of their responsibilities. It won’t stop me. It’s not the first time those paid to protect citizens have acted irresponsibly by warning people not to exercise their rights,” he said.
Speaking further, Sowore faulted the police for taking it upon themselves to enforce court orders, describing the action as unlawful.
“I’m not a lawyer, but I know that when a court gives an order and it’s violated, you return to the same court to report the violation. It’s not the job of the police to enforce court orders, especially when they have a vested interest. Even if they don’t, a court order must first be properly served. The order in question stated that it should be served by Friday, but it was never served on us,” he said.
Sowore argued that even if the order had been served, the courts recognise limits to such restrictions when fundamental human rights are involved.
He also accused the police of consistently targeting him since the early 1990s, stating that some of the officers who once attacked him are now struggling to receive their retirement benefits.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Lagos State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) condemned the warning issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, against planned protests over recent demolitions across the state, describing it as an attempt to intimidate citizens and suppress their constitutional rights.
The Commissioner Jimoh had on Monday, cautioned fiery human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and others against mobilising demonstrations, warning that the police command had deployed personnel across Lagos to prevent any form of protest that could disrupt public order.
He had made the remarks while addressing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo axis of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Reacting to the statement, the AAC Lagos chapter, in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Adetayo Babatunde Daniel, expressed concerns, calling the Commissioner’s remarks a brazen attempt to stifle free expression and democratic engagement.
The AAC criticised the Commissioner for allegedly referring to victims of the demolitions as “criminals” or “harbourers of criminals,” describing the claim as “baseless and wicked.”
The party questioned why a police officer would justify the government’s actions or discuss compensation matters as if he were part of the APC government.
According to the AAC, many residents affected by the demolitions have rejected what they described as an illegal N500,000 compensation scheme allegedly arranged by local authorities and government-linked figures.
The party said that the Commissioner of Police had overstepped his bounds and was clearly acting in connivance with the government to oppress the people.
AAC demanded that the Commissioner retract his statement and uphold citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful protest and expression.
