Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong Writes IGP, Demands Protection of Protesters

Ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled for August 1, 2024,  Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong has written to the Inspector General of Police to protect protesters’ rights under the constitution.

The upcoming nationwide protest against bad governance has attracted many citizens from every part of the nation.

Effiong underscored the legal framework that guaranteed Nigerians the right to peaceful protest in the letter. He referred to relevant provisions in the law, including Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution, Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, and Section 91(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Effiong also drew from case law to cement the point that when taken together, these provisions of the law contain an affirmative declaration of the constitutional rights of citizens to protest while placing a duty on the police and other law enforcement agencies to protect protesters.

His letter further cited the Anti-Torture Act 2017, which criminalises torture and all dehumanising acts against Nigerians by law enforcement officers.

He implored the IGP to be guided by this legislation while dealing with impending protests so as not to replay scenes of police brutality.

The lawyer demanded that the IGP respect and protect the rights of the protesters and issue directives to Commissioners of Police in the states, the Federal Capital Territory, and every department of the Nigeria Police Force.

Effiong called on the officers to make provisions for the safety and protection of protesters during the protests.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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