of the rights and not to restrict it. See ACHPR Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa, paragraph 71. This invariably means that a positive obligation is placed on the State to ensure that the right to assembly is effectively exercised. 62.It is also pertinent to state that “participating in and organizing assemblies is a right and not a privilege, and thus its exercise does not require the authorization of the state. A system of prior notification may be put in place to allow states to facilitate the exercise of this right and to take the necessary measures to protect public safety and rights of other citizens.” See ACHPR Guidelines, Paragraph 71 (Supra). AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND OTHERS V. SUDAN, COMMUNICATION. NOS. 48/90, 50/91, 52/91 AND 89/93 (1999), PARAGRAPHS. 81-82. 63.Furthermore, lack of notification prior to an assembly does not render such an assembly illegal, and isolated acts of violence does not render an assembly as being non-peaceful. See ACHPR Guidelines paragraph 71 (Supra). The import of these principles is that great latitude is conferred on citizens in the enjoyment of their right to freely assemble while a greater responsibility is imposed on State to permit the enjoyment of the right with minimal restraint. 64.In the instant case, the Current Applicants alleged that they gathered together at the Museum in Benin Edo State to commence a protest against the hike in the price of petrol and cement. Unfortunately the security forces comprising the Police, Department of State Security Services, the National Civil Defence Corps and local vigilante group locked them in in the premises of the Museum Ground wherein they assembled to plan their rally, thereby preventing them from continuing with their arrangement or even 21