A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has received a ₦500 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh.
The suit, filed through a team of human rights lawyers, alleges that the police violated Sowore’s fundamental rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of movement after the Lagos Commissioner of Police declared him “wanted” without any formal charge or invitation.
In an affidavit of urgency personally sworn to by Sowore, he stated that on November 3, 2025, the Lagos police chief publicly branded him a fugitive in the media, despite the absence of a warrant or official summons.
Sowore, represented by lawyers Tope Temokun, Marshal Abubakar, Inibehe Effiong, A.E. Adegoroye, Moshood Shittu, Deji Adeyanju, O.D. Olatunde, and I.E. Osunyikanmi, is seeking judicial protection of his rights under Sections 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Articles 4–12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The activist is requesting several interim orders, including an injunction restraining the respondents—particularly the Lagos Commissioner of Police—from further harassing, intimidating, or declaring him wanted. He also seeks to nullify the earlier declaration describing him as a wanted person pending the determination of the substantive motion.
Sowore told the court that he had never received any police invitation or warrant of arrest and maintained that the “wanted” declaration was meant to tarnish his image and suppress his activism.
He described himself as a law-abiding citizen and said he would have honoured any lawful invitation if properly served.
“The declaration by the Lagos Commissioner of Police unlawfully taints my reputation as a journalist and former presidential candidate,” he stated. “It was a deliberate attempt to silence me and restrict my freedom.”
Sowore urged the court to intervene urgently, arguing that the police actions had already infringed on his constitutional rights.
He further stressed in his affidavit that unless the court intervenes, the respondents would continue to threaten and harass him.
The court is expected to fix a date for hearing the application in the coming days.
