Permit for rallies: Go to Supreme Court – Nigeria Police challenges lawyers

As the disagreement over the Public Order Act, a law which requires Nigerians to obtain police permits before holding public assemblies continues, the Nigeria Police has urged the Bar Association, to seek interpretation of the Act at the Supreme Court.

At a sensitization workshop organized by political parties in the North-West Zone yesterday, Assistant Inspector General of the Zone, Tambari Muhammad Yabo, said although an Appeal Court had said the police had no right to stop any public function, “another Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin had judged that the Police has every right to stop any function that has been organized without their orders.”

“As a police officer, I have right to choose between the two judgment,” he said.

AIG Yabo recalled that the issue came up when he was serving as Kaduna State Police Commissioner.

According to him, he then challenged lawyers to approach the Supreme Court for clarification.

The officer said the legal practitioners were however reluctant “because they are afraid that they will not get justice, meaning justice would favour the Nigeria Police. This is the bone of contention, and that is why you can’t talk to me about this act.”

On 2015 elections, he cautioned politicians to stand with the rules and observe several directives the Police have issued.

Yabo listed the directives as: politicians should avoid snatching ballot box; dangerous and offensive weapons are banned; cautioned against use of illicit drugs; banned use of underage; stop radio use of abusive words on fellow politician; urged them to strictly abide by the Public Order Act 1979, and commence campaign only when INEC gave go ahead to do so.

Speaking, North-West Vice Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD) Abdul Garba, advised politicians to put national interest above selfish interest and avoid acts capable of jeopardizing peace and security of the nation.