A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled in favour of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, finding that the Nigeria Police Force acted illegally when it declared him a wanted person in 2025 and awarding him ₦30 million in damages.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaaki described the actions of the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh as unconstitutional and an abuse of power.
The court held that the force had no legal basis to brand Sowore “wanted” without adherence to due process.
The decision stemmed from a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate, after the Lagos police declared him wanted in November 2025.
The police alleged he attempted to lead a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge linked to the demolition of structures in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos.
Justice Kakaaki ruled that the police’s declaration was made without a valid arrest warrant, prior invitation, or formal charge, a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and established legal procedure.
He emphasised that no Nigerian can be labelled wanted without a court-issued warrant, proper notice, and credible evidence of evasion of lawful judicial process.
The court also condemned an earlier police directive that ordered Sowore to stay away from Lagos State, calling it arbitrary, unconstitutional, and beyond the police’s powers.
The entire “wanted” notice was similarly described as illegal and ultra vires (beyond lawful authority).
In his suit, Sowore sought enforcement of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, freedom of movement, expression, and peaceful assembly, rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He argued that the unlawful declaration damaged his reputation and infringed on his civil liberties.
The judge’s ruling reaffirmed that law enforcement agencies must operate within constitutional limits and that citizens cannot be penalised for exercising free speech or peaceful protest.
Sowore’s legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, described the verdict as a landmark affirmation of constitutional democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
They noted that the judgment sends a clear message that state power should not be used to intimidate or silence dissenting voices.
