The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun will hold a virtual meeting with prominent human rights lawyers Femi Falana (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, and various civil society organisations on Tuesday afternoon.
The meeting, scheduled for 3:30 pm via Zoom, aims to discuss the planned #EndBadGovernance protest.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that the Take-It-Back Movement, a pro-democracy group, had proposed a Zoom conference with police authorities to facilitate a nationwide protest and increase participation.
The organisation nominated Falana to lead the discussions at the meeting. This development follows the police’s request to meet with the movement’s leaders and lawyers, who had sought protection for citizens participating in the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance protests.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters revealed that the Take-It-Back Movement, through its lawyer, Adegboruwa, sent a letter dated July 30, 2024, to the police chief, Egbetokun, requesting the contact details of senior police officials, including Deputy Inspectors-General, Assistant Inspectors-General, and Commissioners of Police, who would be involved in the upcoming protest.
In its response to the Inspector-General of Police, the TIB Movement also “expressed their readiness to attend the meeting with the Inspector-General of Police as requested”.
“However, in order to achieve enlarged participation, we request that the said meeting be held virtually, in order to give room for all stakeholders to attend.
“Specifically, we will be led in the said meeting by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the NBA, other lawyers and civil society organisations. We await the Zoom link for the said virtual meeting,” the TIB Movement added.
The letter dated July 30, 2024, and signed by Adegboruwa, which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, states in part: “Please find below the details of SOME of the points of convergence for the said public meetings, rallies and processions.
“ABUJA: Eagle’s Square, by the Secretariat, FCT, Abuja; Lagos: Alausa Park by the Secretariat, Ikeja.
“BENIN: Opposite Wema Bank, Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; IBADAN: Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan; BAUCHI: Opposite School of Agric, Bauchi, along Tafawa Balewa Road.
“YOBE: Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; RIVERS: Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium and OSHOGBO: Freedom Park, Osogbo.”
It added, “We shall update you with further details in the course of time, hoping that the above information suffices for planning and strategy.”
The Inspector-General of Police had directed all DIGs across the country to ensure the safety of the protesters across the country.
