Sowore demands ₦500m from Egbetokun, Lagos CP, over violation of rights
By Habiba Kaita
Human rights activist and founder Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has filed a ₦500 million lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.
Sowore said the police violated his fundamental human rights by declaring him wanted without any invitation, warrant, or charge. The case was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
In the suit, Sowore is asking the court to protect his right to dignity, freedom, and movement, as provided under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Sowore said that on November 3, 2025, the Lagos Commissioner of Police announced through the media that he was a wanted man. This came after the police accused him of trying to cause unrest and block major roads during protests over the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki.
While speaking to journalists at the Iyana-Oworo area of the Third Mainland Bridge, Commissioner Jimoh said the police were “closing in on Sowore and others planning to disturb public peace.”
Reacting to this, Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the Federal High Court in Ikoyi had stopped the police from declaring him wanted.
“I just left the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the court stopped the Lagos CP, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring me WANTED!” he posted.
The case raises questions about the power of the police to declare someone wanted without following legal procedures.
