Falana SAN Advises Against Rushing To Court On Eve Of Protests, Emphasizes Proper Service Of Orders
In a recent interview on Channels TV, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, shared his thoughts on the ongoing nationwide protests over hardship and other issues in the country.
Falana emphasized the need for the government to engage with the aggrieved young people and address their concerns promptly.
Falana noted that while incidents of violence were recorded during the protests, it is crucial for the government and security forces to learn from the experience and take proactive measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. He stressed the importance of the government identifying genuinely aggrieved individuals and engaging them in constructive dialogue to foster a sense of belonging among the populace.
Commenting on the legality of court rulings restricting protests to confined places, Falana advised the government against rushing to court on the eve of a strike action or protest. He highlighted the need for proper service of court orders to the individuals concerned and urged the government to designate protest grounds in every state capital, as done in many countries worldwide.
Falana also called for a comprehensive review of the affairs of the government at all levels, emphasizing the need for public accountability and budget implementation. He urged legislators to meet with their constituents during the recess to discuss constituency projects and ensure transparency in the allocation of funds.
Regarding the loss of life and property during the protests, Falana expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and called for thorough investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the violence. He stressed the importance of releasing the reports of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up during the #EndSARS protests and implementing their recommendations to prevent future outlines.
Falana emphasized that the government must address the demands of the young people and engage with the leaders of the protest movement to find lasting solutions. He warned against deceiving ourselves and urged the government to take concrete steps to tackle the issues raised by the protesters.
In conclusion, Falana called for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges facing the nation, involving all tiers of government and ensuring public accountability and budget implementation. He stressed the need for constructive engagement between the government and the people to prevent further unrest and promote a sense of belonging among the populace.
