The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to suspend tagging human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, as a wanted person.Justice Musa Kakaki issued the interim order on Wednesday following an ex parte application filed by Sowore through his lawyer, Tope Temokun. The activist was declared wanted by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on Monday for allegedly attempting to lead a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge against the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki.
In response, Sowore filed a ₦500 million suit challenging the declaration and sought an interim injunction restraining the police from further harassing or tagging him as wanted, pending the determination of the main case. Justice Kakaki granted the request, ruling:> “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers, or privies, from harassing, intimidating, threatening arrest, arresting, or further declaring or representing the applicant as a ‘wanted person’ pending the hearing of the substantive suit.” The court adjourned further hearing to November 14.
Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, described the ruling as “another victory for the rule of law,” arguing that the police acted without any lawful order or warrant. “The order restrains the police from giving effect to the illegal declaration of Omoyele Sowore as ‘wanted.’ It stands as a loud statement that no citizen can be stripped of liberty or dignity by arbitrary police action,” he said.
Sowore’s substantive suit seeks ₦500 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Commissioner Moshood Jimoh. He claims the police declaration violated his constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, freedom of movement, expression, and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.In an affidavit of urgency, Sowore said he was declared wanted without prior invitation, warrant, or formal charge, adding that the move unlawfully damaged his reputation as a journalist, activist, and former presidential candidate.
The controversy stems from the ongoing demolition of houses in Oworonshoki, which has sparked protests by residents alleging displacement without adequate compensation. While the Lagos State Government insists the demolitions are part of an urban renewal effort to reclaim public spaces and improve security, critics—including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana—have accused the government of defying a subsisting court injunction and worsening homelessness among low-income residents. The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has also urged the government to pursue urban renewal with compassion, reflecting growing calls for a more humane approach to development in the city.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
