A lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the FCTA minister to reverse the ban on protests.
Olajengbesi, in a statement titled, ‘The ban on #EndSARS protest by the Security Committee of FCTA, an effrontery on the constitutional right of the Nigerian people,’ threatened to institute a legal action against the minister should he fail to accede to the demand within the stipulated period.
According to him, the FCT minister “has no power whatsoever to infringe, restrain or constrain the will and determination of the masses especially in a time like this when the ship of the nation is sinking down a depth of no seeming return.
“Consequently, we therefore give the FCT Minister an ultimatum of 24 hours within which to reverse his stand on the issue and allow the people to demonstrate their displeasure and dissatisfaction against the official rascality and reprehensive character of the officers of Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”
In a related development, military authorities on Thursday, threatened to deal with thugs and miscreants disrupting peaceful protests by #EndSARS campaigners.
Read Also: FCT Minister Has No Power To Stop Protests —Aisha Yesufu
The Defence headquarters frowned on the violent attacks on the activists and warned the perpetrators to desist or face sanctions.
Recall that protesters were attacked and injured by thugs in Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday. About seven vehicles were also vadalised at the Berger roundabout, Wuse, Abuja.
But the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement, stated that the military would not condone further attacks on the peaceful protesters.
The statement was titled, ‘Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies assured Nigerians of their safety and stability of the nation, warn against violent protests in the country.’
It stated, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have observed with dismay some violence-related protests across the country, particularly the increasing number of attacks on peaceful protesters by thugs and miscreants.
“This unfolding event against peace-loving Nigerians will not be condoned. Hence, thugs and miscreants are hereby warned to desist from engaging in violent activities against peaceful Nigerians henceforth, or face appropriate measures.”
The Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Lalong, said northern states were opposed to the scrapping of SARS.
He stated, “They want SARS because SARS helps them. Borno said without SARS, it would not have been surviving today. Niger also wants SARS.”
According to him, rather than scrapping SARS, the police should be reformed and the process of recruitment into the force should be reviewed.