New public order powers to prevent individuals causing repeated serious disruption must come into force in Nigeria in view of the large scale planning of disruptive and violent protests by certain elements in the society as the government must be proactive with its plan to protect the public from criminality at protests.

Serious Disruption Prevention Orders will empower the police and other security services to intervene before individuals cause serious disruption, damages to both public and private property. They must identify those who have previously committed protest-related offences or ignored court-imposed restrictions, if there are any and if not, the courts must be encouraged to impose restrictions on serious offenders.

The orders can impose a range of restraints on an individual, including preventing them from being in a particular place or area, participating in disruptive activities and being with protest groups at given times. They can also stop individuals from using the internet to encourage protest-related offences.

These orders can be imposed on those who have, on at least committed protest-related offences, for example locking-on, or breached the conditions of an injunction. The specific restrictions contained within each order will be decided by the court and must last up to 3 years. They can also be renewed if the person remains a threat.

Under public order legislation, serious disruption may occur when protest activity prevents or hinders day to day activities or construction or maintenance works, causes delays to deliveries of time-sensitive products or disrupts access to essential goods and services in a way which is more than minor and needs to be addressed for the greater benefit of the public. This must be seen as a public interest offence.

The public has a democratic right to protest and this government must always uphold that.

However, past events have shown certain individuals are just dedicated to wreaking havoc and causing severe disruption to the everyday lives of the public.

This is why the government must introduce these new powers to ensure that anyone who ignores warnings from our law enforcement cannot continue to cause turmoil unpunished or restrained before hand.

This string of measures will ensure that people can exercise their democratic right to protest while ensuring the public can go about their daily lives safely and without serious disruption.

Let the Federal Government rush these laws through the Parliament without further delay.

Dr George Ogunjimi
Juris Republic
17/07/2024.

Popular land grabber, Mukaila Salau AKA Actor and Muhammad Sulaimon AKA Miyaki have been arrested by the Nigeria police over the alleged murder of a staffer of Ikosi-Ejirin local government, Kazeem Idowu Keshinro.

The duo was arrested by the force CID and has been moved to Abuja for further investigations to be carried out.

Their arrest is coming after the brother of the deceased, Hakeem Keshinro petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over the ill-fated murder of his brother on April 1, 2024.

Hakeem Keshinro who spoke to journalists narrated that his brother never had any encounter with the assailant but was just unfortunate to have been murdered in such a brutal manner.

‘’My brother and Mukaila Salau aka Actor have nothing in common. They are in Ota, we are in Agbowa. But when I heard of the incident, I went to see my brother and he revealed that Mukaila Salau was the one behind it. He said he went to the farm and when he got there, they shot and butchered him on his head in three places.’’

‘’The issue happened in Ota-Ikosi on Easter Monday. I know Actor to be a land grabber and there is nothing between them, my brother who is a hunter only went to hunt. He works for Ikosi Ejirin local government and he had an ID card on him when he was attacked.’’

However, the family of the deceased have expressed fear following the arrest of Mukaila because according to them, he has been boasting that he has connection with the Inspector-General of police and that the matter will soon be swept under the carpet. They warned every police officer that may want to stand as an obstacle to justice to desist totally from it.

‘’ We are aware that Mukaila Salau Actor has been boasting that he has connection with the IGP and a deputy IGP and that the matter will soon be swept under the carpet. We are going to monitor this to the very end and ensure justice is delivered. We will not allow any form of interruption in the face of justice. We warn every police officer that may want to get involved to please desist from it.’’

A Nigerian man from Edo State, Eboreime Osamaye Victor has cried out to the Nigerian government for help following dead threats from community elders after refusing to accept the position of traditional Chief priest.

The threats started when 53-year-old Victor who converted to Christianity about five years ago blatantly refused to partake in any community traditional rituals and practices.

Trouble started after the demise of Victor’s uncle who was the community Chief priest. Elders of the community then insisted he (Victor) takes up the role citing ancient customs and traditions.

Following his refusal,  elders of Eku community in Edo state have threatened that Victor must be buried alive at the shrine with his head chopped off and offered as sacrifice to idols.

As a result, the father of three who is happily married to Yetunde a native of Ekiti State, has been living in fear, due to attacks by kidnappers and assassins allegedly sent my his community elders.

He has since been separated from his family and now seeks help from Nigerians and the government for protection stating the influential and powerful status of elders of the community.