Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court in Lagos has slammed a N10 million fine on both the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Lagos State Commissioner of Police for violating the fundamental rights of several peaceful protesters during the #EndSARS protest.
The judge passed the verdict while delivering judgement on Thursday in a suit filed by some Nigerians who participated in the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS peaceful memorial procession on October 20, 2024.
In his judgement, the judge held that the applicants were unjustly harassed and their rights violated during a peaceful protest on October 20, 2024, and had their rights to freedom of assembly and association, as protected by the Nigerian Constitution, violated.
The judge noted that while the police had constitutional powers to enforce laws, the powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and rule of law.
The judge further held that the applicants, who participated in the peaceful protest on 20th October, 2024, during the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS peaceful memorial procession, were unjustly harassed and their rights infringed upon.
Justice Kakaki further affirmed that the applicants were entitled to the constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The applicants in the suit are; Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Miss Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman.
The rest are three organisations; Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
During the protest, operatives of the Lagos State Police Command arrested 22 protesters, while also dispersing scores of others who gathered for the memorial protest.
