*Says 90 Days Period Granted To CBN To Freeze Accounts Of EndSars Protesters Not Improper
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A former Solicitor-General of Lagos State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Lawal Pedro has said that the 90 days granted via exparte order by the Federal High Court Abuja for the freezing of accounts of the EndSars protesters for is not improper.
He disclosed this during an interview with VANGUARD, not TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL).
He said the 90 days is not improper because the affected protesters can apply for same to be vacated
“I don’t think the order was improper. The court simply said the order would last for 90 days.
“The number of the days is actually irrelevant. The person who the order effects can actually go to the court to have the order set aside anytime.”
However, the learned silk cautioned against blanket action against protesters. He advised that federal government should be able to differentiate between those who sponsored protesters and those who sponsored hoodlums to destroy public and private properties
According to him, it will be unconstitutional for government to be taking blanket action
“Like I said government has to be careful and differentiate between sponsors of Lekki protest, which they themselves have admitted is lawful, as against those they have evidence against that they actually promoted and sponsored those that engaged in vandalism. Unless federal government is able to show that these people were responsible or promoted the destruction of properties, then it is justified.
“But if it’s a blanket action, then it will be unlawful and unconstitutional for government to embark on such voyage. If government can identified that A or B, sponsored the burning of the High Court of Lagos, sponsored persons who burnt the NPA building, then it would be justified in taking these actions. But the government itself must be careful in dealing with this kind of matter.” he said
Pedro, SAN, advised those affected by actions of the government to approach court for redress. He said government has no business clamping down on them if it has no evidence to link them to promotion of destruction.
He said, “Those affected should not hesitate to go to court to enforce their rights. That is the way of the rule of law. The government has a responsibility and obligation to the generality of the people and the individuals too have their fundamental rights. If federal government cannot show that these people promoted destruction anywhere, then it has no business clamping down on their account.”
Furthermore, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said clamping down on protesters will affect the ongoing proceedings of the Judicial Panels of Inquiry set up by various states because most people may be reluctant to give evidence for fear of being harassed just the way “their sponsors” are under harassment.
Therefore, according to him, the ongoing clamp down on the promoters of EndSars protesters by government will be counter productive
“I believe this will also affect the tribunal sittings because people will now be afraid to give evidence. Some of them will reason that if government can go after their genuine sponsors, then they are not safe. Their thinking would be ‘’If people who have money and sponsored us against SARS, are being clamp down, what will happen to us in the next two to three weeks if we give evidence at the tribunal.’
“So I think the current government’s decision to go after promoters of EndSARS will actually be counterproductive to the desired expectations from the tribunals.”
He said he has faith in the various EnSARS tribunals but “the point is, after recommendation, what happens?” he queried
He urged the media must follow up and “ensure that the recommendations are implemented. Once nobody is talking about the issue, the matter wll simply die.”
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