Don’t stop 2face Idibia protest rally, CSO tells police

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has urged the police not to harass Innocent Ujah Idibia, also known as 2face Idibia or 2Baba, and other Nigerians over their planned protest slated for Monday in Lagos and Abuja.

The popular artiste earlier in the week, called for the support of his fans and colleagues through his social media platforms to join his march against the crippling economic state of the nation.

The Lead Director of the centre, Barrister Eze Onyekpere, said yesterday in Abuja that the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees Nigerians the fundamental rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, of expression and the right to hold and disseminate opinions, among others.

 “The foregoing sets the context of our review of the statement credited to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police asking the organizers of the rally scheduled for Monday the 6th of February in Abuja and Lagos to stop the rally or face arrest. The commissioner went ahead to declare that the police had security information that the rally would be hijacked by criminal elements for their own purpose(s).

“Indeed, the courts have held that no one needs a police permit to organize such a rally or demonstration (See Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (2008) WRN 65),” Onyekpere said.

He also urged the organizers of the rally and those willing to join them that they are protected by the fundamental laws of the land and any attempt by any authority, no matter how highly placed to disrupt the rally would be unconstitutional and a grave violation of constitutional rights which is a good cause of action for aggravated damages in the court of law.