LAGOS CP ACTED ILLEGALLY IN DECLARING SOWORE WANTED – COURT

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the declaration of human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore as a wanted man by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, was illegal and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaaki held that no citizen can be criminalised for protesting, speaking out, or holding the government accountable. The court awarded N30 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Commissioner Jimoh for the unlawful pronouncement.

The ruling follows Mr. Jimoh’s public declaration on November 3, 2025, that Mr. Sowore was wanted for attempting to lead a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge over the demolition of poor settlements in Oworonshoki. The judge noted that prior to this, in October, Mr. Jimoh had ordered the activist and former presidential candidate to stay away from Lagos, a directive the court described as arbitrary and beyond police powers.

Sowore had challenged the police action, arguing that he was never served any warrant or formal notice. His suit sought protection of his constitutional rights to liberty, dignity, expression, and peaceful assembly, and demanded N500 million in general and exemplary damages for the violation of his rights.

The police, however, maintained that the declaration was lawful and within their authority. Commissioner Jimoh had claimed on television that Sowore failed to comply with agreed reporting arrangements at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba.

Justice Kakaaki said the law requires a court-issued warrant and proof of evasion before a citizen can be declared wanted. He described the public pronouncement as ultra vires, unconstitutional, and an abuse of power.

Reacting, Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, said the ruling sent a strong message against the abuse of state power, while Sowore himself hailed the judgement as a victory for justice and constitutional governance. The activist added that the ruling clearly underscored that abuse of authority has consequences, even amid ongoing legal battles with the police.