A Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the state police command and the commissioner of police from arresting or intimidating human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
This ruling came after the Lagos police commissioner, Moshood Jimoh, declared Sowore wanted, accusing him of causing unrest in Oworonshoki during protests over building demolitions in the area.
Justice Musa Kakaki issued the interim order on Wednesday following a suit filed by Omoyele Sowore.
The court restrained the police and the commissioner from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit”.
In his affidavit, Sowore stated that he was never served with any police invitation or arrest warrant before being declared wanted.
The activist said the police action violated his constitutional rights to liberty, dignity, and free movement.
Sowore also told the court that the public declaration branding him a wanted person had damaged his reputation as a journalist and former presidential candidate.
He argued that the move was aimed at silencing his activism and restricting his freedom of expression.
He urged the court to stop the police from further harassment, noting that he had committed no offence and was never invited for questioning before the commissioner’s public statement on November 3, 2025.
“That unless restrained urgently by this honourable court, the respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go,” Sowore stated in his affidavits of urgency.
“That I am not also aware of any offences committed by me, and neither have I been extended any prior invitation before the 1st Respondent’s declaration on the 3rd day of November 2025.”
After the ruling, Sowore said the judgment renewed his belief in the Nigerian judicial system despite public doubts.
He emphasized that his activism is rooted in the fight for justice and freedom for all Nigerians, regardless of background.
“Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but the trust in our judiciary is not up to the judges—it is up to citizens who show up to say justice must be done,” Sowore said.
“I thank the court for having the courage to take up this matter late in the day and for granting this important order.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Omoyele Sowore had announced plans for a protest amid growing outrage from residents of Oworonshoki, who were left homeless after a midnight demolition allegedly carried out by the Lagos Government.
