Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has filed a ₦500 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, for allegedly violating his constitutional rights by unlawfully declaring him “wanted.”
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeks judicial redress for what Sowore described as a gross infringement on his rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Sowore’s legal team — comprising human rights lawyers Tope Temokun, Marshal Abubakar, Inibehe Effiong, A.E. Adegoroye, Moshood Shittu, Deji Adeyanju, O.D. Olatunde, and I.E. Osunyikanmi — filed the suit following a November 3, 2025 press briefing in which the Lagos Police Commissioner publicly declared him wanted over a peaceful protest against the demolition of properties in Oworonshoki, Lagos.
In an affidavit personally deposed to by Sowore, he stated that the police never issued any invitation, warrant, or formal charge prior to the public declaration. He asserted that the announcement had unlawfully branded him a fugitive, damaged his reputation, and placed his liberty at risk.
“That I am not aware of any offence committed by me, and neither have I been extended any prior invitation before the declaration made by the 1st Respondent on the 3rd of November, 2025,” the affidavit reads in part.
“That I am a law-abiding citizen and if extended an invitation for any lawful investigation, I would have honoured such invitation.”
Sowore further stated that the declaration “unlawfully taints” his public image as a respected journalist, pro-democracy activist, and former presidential candidate, and urged the court to urgently restrain the police from further harassment, intimidation, or unlawful arrest.
The application, filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, seeks the following interim and substantive orders:
1. An interim injunction restraining the respondents — particularly the Lagos Commissioner of Police — from further portraying Sowore as “wanted” or attempting to arrest, intimidate, or harass him pending the determination of the motion on notice.
2. A stay of operation of the public declaration labeling him as a wanted person until the court decides the matter.
3. An order for substituted service, allowing the applicant to serve court documents on the IGP and Lagos Commissioner of Police through the state command to prevent procedural delays.
4. A declaration that the respondents’ actions violated his fundamental rights to liberty, dignity, and free movement.
5. An award of ₦500 million in damages for the emotional distress, reputational harm, and constitutional breach suffered.
Sowore emphasized that the declaration was intended to “stifle his freedom and silence his activism,” describing it as a misuse of police power aimed at intimidating voices critical of the government.
“Unless restrained urgently by this Honourable Court, the Respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go,” he added.
The activist maintained that his rights remain constitutionally protected and asked the court to “set aside the illegal declaration and uphold the rule of law.”
The case underscores growing concerns about the use of police powers against dissenting voices in Nigeria, particularly in light of the nation’s constitutional guarantees on civil liberties.
