Omoyele Sowore floors Lagos CP Moshood Jimoh, IGP Egbetokun in court

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday awarded ₦30 million in damages to activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in a suit challenging his declaration as wanted by the Nigeria Police Force.

Delivering judgment, Justice M. Kakaki ruled against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, describing their actions as unconstitutional and a violation of Sowore’s fundamental rights.

The case stemmed from events in late 2025, when Sowore was first warned by the Lagos CP on October 27 to stay away from the state, and subsequently declared wanted on November 3.

In a detailed judgment that lasted about one hour and thirty minutes, the court held that the actions of the police authorities were arbitrary, unlawful, and beyond the powers granted to them under the law.

Justice Kakaki ruled that the directive issued by the Commissioner of Police, warning Sowore to stay away from Lagos, was unconstitutional and had no legal basis. The court further declared that branding Sowore as wanted without a valid court order amounted to a grave abuse of power.

The court emphasised that no Nigerian can be declared wanted except through due process, which includes a valid court-issued warrant, proper notice, and evidence that the individual is evading lawful proceedings.

According to the judgment, the police acted outside their legal authority, and such conduct undermines constitutional safeguards protecting citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, movement, and lawful protest.

The court also held the Inspector-General of Police accountable for the actions of the Lagos CP, noting that the misconduct attracted judicial condemnation at the highest level.

Consequently, the court awarded ₦30 million in damages against both the Commissioner of Police and the IGP.

Reacting to the judgment, Sowore’s counsel, Tope Temokun, described the ruling as a landmark decision that reinforces constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

He stated that the judgment sends a strong message against the abuse of state power and affirms that citizens cannot be criminalised for speaking out or holding authorities accountable.

Temokun added that the ruling represents a broader victory for Nigerians, stressing that freedom of expression and civic engagement must not be suppressed through unlawful actions.

The judgment as expected sparked conversations around police powers, civil liberties, and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.