OccupyLekkiTollGate: Police arrest Mr Macaroni and others at Lekki toll gate

adminNews4 years ago2 Views

In the early hour, some Nigerian youths and famous comedian Debo Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni has been apprehended by the Nigerian police at the Lekki toll gate while protesting against the reopening of the Lekki toll gate.

On Friday evening, several videos and pictures were taken by commuters showing Nigerian police reinforcement at the lekki toll gate.

Lagos state government also released a warning circular to organisers of the #OcuppyLekkiTollgate protest to refrain from such movement stating emphatically that violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON PROPOSED #ENDSARS #OccupyLekkiTollGate PROTEST”

1. Our attention is drawn to the planned protest scheduled for Saturday, February 13, 2021, at the Lekki Toll Gate for and against the opening of the Admiralty Toll Gate.

2. The State is aware of Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantees the Rights to Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly. However, such right does not permit the violation of the Rights of other citizens in the State.

3. While the State recognises the importance of exercising the Rights to Peaceful protests, same cannot extend to blockage of roads and or preventing other members of the public from enjoying their Fundamental Rights to move freely within the State.

4. Any person or group with such desire to Protest must also bear in mind the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Regulations 2021 which prevents any gathering beyond 50 and other safety measures including but not limited to maintaining Social Distancing & the use of face mask.

5. The Attorney General hereby enjoins everyone to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 Regulations and any other extant laws in the State. The right to protest peacefully does not exempt anyone from violating laws.

Any violator will therefore be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

6. Furthermore, any individual or corporate body who incites or condones any act leading to the destruction of public and private properties shall be prosecuted under the extant laws and in addition to any penalty the court might pronounce, such person or body will be liable to compensate for any damage which is as a result of the action or inaction of such person or body.

7. The Nigeria Police is equally urged, that in responding to any protest, it should respect the rights of the citizen as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and carry out their duties in accordance with the law.

According to The PUNCH, Adebayo was arrested after the police told him “we don’t want you here”.

In a Live Instagram before his phone and those of other arrested protesters were seized, the comedian lamented that “Lekki is under military rule.”

He said, “How did you think the reopening of tollgate is the next line of action? If you didn’t do that today, we won’t have a right to be here.

“It is a disrespect to say that you want to reopen at this tollgate. Are you spitting on the graves of the dead?

“Na military regime we dey? We also have a right to be heard. We have a right to protest peacefully.”

Another protester, Joseph Seye, said, “I am an artist. I am not a criminal. I came here to protest. It is my right. It is not a crime to protest. Why are the government treating youths this way?”