NBA Ikeja to Police: Provide Security for June 12 Protest—It’s the Law
The Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally called on the Lagos State Police Command to provide security for a June 12 Democracy Day rally being organised by the Endbadgovernance Movement, a coalition of civil society groups.
In a letter dated June 11 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the NBA’s Human Rights Committee affirmed that the organisers had duly complied with the law by notifying police of their plans. Citing Section 84(4) of the Police Act, the Committee reminded the police that they are legally required to ensure security for peaceful rallies once proper notice has been given.
“The rally is an expression of the constitutionally guaranteed right to movement, association and assembly,” the letter read. “The law vests in your office the statutory duty to protect the rights and freedom of every person.”
The Committee noted that while the police had invited the organisers to a meeting on June 10, it didn’t hold due to the Commissioner’s absence. A rescheduled meeting for June 11 at 4 p.m. was declined by the organisers, who requested a virtual meeting instead—a request yet to be acknowledged.
The NBA Ikeja Branch made it clear that it will be monitoring the rally and intends to publish an official report on how the event unfolds.
The letter—signed by Human Rights Committee Chair Chinenye Udeh, Vice Chair Joseph Opute, and Secretary Clementina Olaniyan—urged the police to discharge their statutory duty under both Nigerian and international law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
