Court Slams Police With N30M Damages for Declaring Sowore Wanted

Femi Ashekun/

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has awarded N30 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force over the controversial declaration of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore as a wanted person.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Musa Kakaki, who found that the action taken by the Lagos State Police Command under Commissioner of Police, Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, was unlawful and violated the activist’s rights.

The court’s decision followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sowore after the police publicly declared him wanted in October last year.

The controversy dates back to November 2025 when the Lagos police command announced Sowore as wanted over his alleged involvement in a protest linked to demolitions in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos.

Sowore challenged the move in court, arguing that he was labelled wanted without any formal invitation, warrant, or charge, which he said infringed his constitutional rights.

Through his legal team, he sought judicial protection and damages against the police authorities.

His lawyers were led by human rights advocate, Tope Temokun.

In November 2025, the same Federal High Court had issued an interim injunction restraining the police from harassing, arresting, or continuing to portray Sowore as a wanted person pending the hearing of the case.

Justice Kakaki ruled at the time that the police must halt actions capable of threatening the activist’s liberty until the substantive suit was determined.

The judge’s order came after Sowore filed a suit seeking N500 million in damages for alleged violations of his fundamental rights.

At the conclusion of proceedings, the court held that the police action lacked lawful basis and amounted to a breach of Sowore’s rights, awarding N30 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force.

The ruling represents one of the latest judicial rebukes of law enforcement authorities over the use of “wanted” declarations against activists and protesters without court authorisation.

Reacting shortly after the judgment, Sowore described the decision as a major victory against abuse of power.

Writing on X, he said the court delivered “a resounding blow” to what he called police excesses and condemned the declaration made by the Lagos police command.

According to him, the ruling sends a strong message that misuse of authority carries consequences.

He also praised his lawyer, Temokun, saying the case was handled with diligence and courage.

“Justice prevailed, at least today,” the activist wrote.

The ruling comes amid several legal confrontations between Sowore and Nigerian security agencies in recent years.

Apart from the Lagos case, the activist has also filed other suits accusing the police and federal authorities of unlawful arrest and violation of his rights in connection with protests and political activities.

Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has frequently clashed with authorities over demonstrations and criticism of government policies.