The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force acted unlawfully when it declared activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore wanted in 2025.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaaki held that the police action breached constitutional provisions and amounted to an abuse of power. The court consequently awarded ₦30 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.
Justice Kakaaki stressed that no citizen should be penalised for exercising the rights to free expression, peaceful protest, or for holding public officials accountable. He condemned what he described as the “lawlessness” of the Lagos CP and held the Inspector-General accountable for actions taken under his leadership.
Reviewing the legal history of declaring individuals wanted in Nigeria, the judge stated that such a step must follow strict procedures, including obtaining a valid court warrant, giving proper notice, and presenting credible evidence that the individual is evading lawful judicial process.
The court also found that the directive issued on October 27, 2025, instructing Sowore to stay out of Lagos State, was arbitrary and unconstitutional, exceeding the lawful authority of the police. Likewise, the public notice of November 3, 2025, declaring him wanted was ruled illegal, unconstitutional, and a serious abuse of power.
Sowore had approached the court to enforce his fundamental rights after being declared wanted over an alleged plan to mobilise a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge concerning property demolitions in Oworonshoki. He argued that he was neither invited by the police nor served with a warrant before the declaration, describing the action as damaging to his reputation.
Represented by his legal team led by Tope Temokun, he sought protection from harassment and the nullification of the “wanted” notice, along with ₦500 million in damages.
The police, however, defended their actions, insisting the commissioner acted within his authority. Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television in November 2025, Jimoh maintained that the declaration remained valid, alleging that Sowore failed to honour an agreement to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba.
He rejected claims that the Inspector-General had ordered Sowore to be shot on sight, dismissing the allegation as misinformation and stating that such an order would never be given.
