Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has filed a ₦500 million lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, following his public declaration as a wanted person.
The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeks the enforcement of Sowore’s fundamental rights to liberty, dignity, expression, association, and movement.
Sowore’s legal action follows Monday’s announcement by the Lagos State Police Command, which declared him wanted for allegedly attempting to lead a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge over the government’s demolition exercise in Oworonshoki.
In his affidavit of urgency, Sowore stated that he was declared wanted without any prior police invitation, warrant, or notice of investigation, calling the declaration unlawful and a violation of his constitutional rights.
He maintained that he would have “honoured any lawful invitation extended” to him and accused the police of maliciously damaging his reputation as a journalist, activist, and former presidential candidate.
According to his legal team which includes Tope Temokun, Marshal Abubakar, Inibehe Effiong, and Deji Adeyanju Sowore is asking the court to restrain the police from arresting, harassing, or intimidating him.
He also seeks an order setting aside the public notice labelling him a fugitive.
“The action of the police has impaired my constitutional rights and unlawfully damaged my public image,” Sowore stated in his filing.
In addition to ₦500 million in general and exemplary damages, Sowore is asking for interim injunctions to halt the effect of the police declaration and to prevent further harassment pending the court’s hearing.
However, CP Moshood Jimoh has defended his decision, insisting that the declaration remains valid. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, he said:
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force. We will do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted.”
Jimoh claimed that Sowore failed to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba as allegedly agreed by his lawyer.
He further dismissed Sowore’s allegation that IGP Egbetokun had ordered him to be “shot on sight,” describing it as “major misinformation.”
“For him to say that the IGP ordered that he be shot is mischievous,” Jimoh said.
“It shows Sowore is planning and has even begun to cause mayhem across Lagos. That is why I declared him wanted.”
Meanwhile, Sowore has maintained his innocence, reiterating that he was targeted during Monday’s anti-demolition protest in Oworonshoki.
