Court stops Lagos Police from declaring Omoyele Sowore wanted as he files ₦500m rights violation suit over actions linked to Oworonshoki protests.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, and the Nigeria Police Force from declaring activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
The ruling, delivered on November 5, 2025, came after Sowore filed a fundamental rights enforcement action demanding ₦500 million in damages against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, and the Nigeria Police Force. He alleges unlawful threats, harassment, and attempts to curtail his constitutional rights following his public criticism of police conduct during the Oworonshoki demolition protests.
Sowore argues that the actions of the police contravene his rights to personal liberty, free movement, and legal protection guaranteed under Sections 35, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution. He notes that subjecting him to a “wanted” declaration without legal basis would amount to intimidation and an abuse of power.
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In a related matter, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant an arrest warrant sought by the Department of State Services (DSS) in a separate case concerning an alleged defamation suit involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Abuja court adjourned that case to December 2, 2025, for continued proceedings.
With the injunction now in place, the Lagos Police are temporarily barred from taking any action that would declare Sowore wanted until the substantive suit is resolved.