Renowned legal practitioner, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to lift the lockdown on citizens on Friday April 3, 2020.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the renowned lawyer stated that the lockdown on the country capital Abuja and Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital would have a negative impact on the citizens which would in turn affect the economy of the nation.
Admitting the lockdown was in the best interest of the nation, Adegboruwa however noted daily wage earners are made to bear the brunt of the situation, as they no longer have a means of livelihood.
“On March 29, 2020, the President directed the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun states and Abuja. Everything became paralyzed from March 30, 2020, as movements of persons were restricted, save those on essential services.
“The concomitant effect of this has been very catastrophic indeed, especially for daily wage earners.
“No doubt the President meant and acted well, though a bit late, but it is not in doubt that the action of the President was the best in the circumstances of our present realities, even though it had no legal backing.
“Having now reviewed the situation of the COVID 19 pandemic as it affects Nigeria, it is clear that Lagos State has saved the nation of this calamity through its proactive measures, which have now been adopted by most other states. In this regard, I commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and in particular Prof Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, for their gallant efforts towards arresting the spread of the pandemic.
Adegboruwa further disclosed security agents who misinterpreted the lockdown have seized the moment to violate basic human rights of the citizens.
“Since the President announced the lockdown, there has been different interpretations and implementations, leading to abuses by security agents. The economic hardship being faced by the people is horrendous and the so-called cash distribution has no real value to the people.
“As Lagos State has now declared 100 per cent recovery rate, and it is the most affected state, there is need to review the lockdown, to ease the burden of the people. The measures already put in place by Governor Sanwo-Olu before the lockdown were effective enough to combat the spread and they should be retained, but without restriction of movement. The banks and markets should open and people should be allowed to move around, to eke out a living for themselves.
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“I therefore appeal to the President to lift the lockdown and allow the governors and minister of the affected areas to determine the scope of measures to be taken in preventing further spread.
“Abuja being the capital of Nigeria and Lagos being the commercial nerve center, both cities cannot remain under lockdown beyond one week.
“I commend the President for the love demonstrated for the well-being of the people and urge him to end the lockdown from Friday, April 3, 2020.
“God bless Nigeria.”
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