A legal practitioner bases in Port-Harcourt, Barr. Idris Abayomi Shehu, has disclosed that there is no law prohibiting peaceful protests or public gatherings in Rivers State, despite the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.
He revealed this during an interview with our reporter, encouraging citizens whose rights may have been violated during recent protests in Port Harcourt to seek legal redress.
“It is a known law that whenever citizens or groups intend to embark on a protest, they are expected to notify and seek approval from the police for their protection. Most times, however, citizens overlook this process. That said, in the current situation, it would be wrong for anyone to say that peaceful protest is illegal. If anyone feels their rights have been violated under this condition, they should approach the court. I am confident that such rights can still be enforced,” Barrister Shehu explained.
He further emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution has not been suspended despite the emergency measures in place in Rivers State. He added that when the state of emergency was declared, the President was very clear that any new laws to be enacted in Rivers State would require the sole administrator to work in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council.
“Let’s not forget that in a military regime, the constitution is usually suspended — that is not the case here. The constitution remains in force. The sole administrator is not a military officer, and there are no restrictions on civil liberties,” he clarified.
The lawyer’s remarks come amid growing concerns from civil society groups and residents over the legal implications of protesting under the current political climate in Rivers State.
Recall that police operatives on Monday disrupted a protest organized by the Take-It-Back Movement. The demonstration was held to oppose the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, and the worsening economic hardship in the country. During the protest, police officers reportedly brutalized five journalists based in Port Harcourt who were covering the event for different media outlets.
