Rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on Tuesday participated in the protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ikeja, Lagos.
The protest is being held in solidarity with the strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Mr Falana had earlier countered the minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed who said the protest was “illegal”.
‘’With respect, the proposed protest cannot be said to be illegal since it is an expression of the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly of Nigerian workers guaranteed by Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Articles 39 and 40 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Indeed, the fundamental right of the people of Nigeria to protest for and against the government was upheld by the Court of Appeal in the celebrated case of the Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Scores of protesters gathered in Ikeja with placards.
Some of their demands as recorded on placards are: “Stop importation of petrol, refine the refineries”, “Nigeria at 60 years of independence, more hunger in the land”, “Reduce the cost of governance now, save the masses from poverty and hunger.”
ASUU has been on strike since February. Some of their demands include better welfare for university lecturers, investment in education etc.
The NLC on Monday directed workers in state capitals and Abuja to join the nationwide protest.
