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IGP, Lagos CP Slammed With ₦500million Lawsuit By Sowore

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4 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has filed a lawsuit seeking ₦500 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh. The legal action alleges a violation of his fundamental human rights.

In the suit, which was lodged at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Sowore is petitioning for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to human dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement. He bases his claim on the provisions of Sections 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in addition to Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The lawsuit, filed by a team of human rights lawyers including Tope Temokun, Marshal Abubakar, Inibehe Effiong, A.E. Adegoroye, Moshood Shittu, Deji Adeyanju, O.D. Olatunde, and I.E. Osunyikanmi, follows a public declaration by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on November 3, 2025, naming Sowore as a “wanted person.”

In an affidavit of urgency personally deposed to by Sowore, he stated that on November 3, 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, publicly declared him “wanted” through the media, despite no prior invitation, warrant, or charge being issued against him.

The motion, brought pursuant to Order of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, seeks several urgent reliefs, including: “AN ORDER granting LEAVE to the Applicant to serve the originating processes in this suit and the hearing notices for the court sittings, on the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, by substituted means, to wit; By serving the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, through the 3rd Respondent’s state command i.e. the office of the 1st Respondent, the commissioner of police of Lagos State, lagos State Police Command. Ikeja, by delivering to the said state command i.c. .the office of the 1st Respondent, each copy of the originating processes and/or hearing notices meant for each of the gnd and 3rd Respondents.

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“An order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents, , particularly the 1 Respondent, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, whether by themsclves, their servants, agents, officers, or privies, from harassing and/or intimidating and/or threatening with arrest and/or arresting and/or further declaring, representing, or in any manner portraying the Applicant as a “wanted person” or fugitive, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“An order of interim stay of operation and action on the effect of the public declaration made by the 1st Respondent, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, describing or declaring the Applicant, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, as a “wanted person”, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER OR ORDERS as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

Sowore deposed that he had not been served with any formal police invitation or warrant of arrest, adding that his constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and free movement had been severely impaired by the actions of the police.

The activist, who described himself as a law-abiding citizen, emphasised that if he had been invited for any lawful investigation, he would have honoured such invitation.

He argued that the declaration by the Lagos Police Commissioner unlawfully tainted his reputation as a respected journalist and former presidential candidate, noting that it was intended to stifle his freedom and silence his activism.

Sowore urged the court to restrain the police and their agents from further harassing, intimidating, or arresting him, and to set aside the public declaration labeling him as a wanted person.

The Affidavit Of Urgency reads, “That unless restrained urgently by this Honourable Court, the Respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go.

“That I am not also aware of any offences committed by me and neither have I been extended any prior invitation before the 1st Respondent’s declaration on the 3rd day of November, 2025.

“That I am a law abiding citizen and if extended invitation by the 1st Respondent for a crime known to law, I would have honoured such invitation.

“That I am a person of high repute, being a human right activist, journalist, pro-democracy campaigner, and former presidential candidate in this country and the declaration of the 1st Respondent declaring me as a “wanted” criminal unlawfully taints my reputation and dignity contrary to my social status and that if unchecked or unrestrained now, the 1st Respondent and the 2nd and 3rd Respondents will give effect to a declaration I am still challenging here and stifle my freedom of movement and my right to personal liberty will be taken away,

“That since service is fundamental to the jurisdiction of the court, and difficulty in service of processes and hcaring notices might delay this case, it has become necessary to depose to the urgency of this matter as I scek leave of this Honourable Court to grant me leave to the applicant to serve the originating processes on the 2nd and 3rd respondents through the mode sought on the motion paper.

“That it is in the interest of justice to grant this application.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith, contentiously believing same to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act.”

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President Tinubu Decorates Disu as New IGP

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7 hours ago

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February 25, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, with his new rank at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The decoration took place during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday and attended by top government officials and some family members of the new acting IGP.

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With the swearing-in, the Acting IGP, Disu becomes Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.

His appointment follows the resignation of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The Presidency linked Egbetokun’s resignation to pressing family considerations.

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BREAKING: DSS Stalls Own Case Against El-Rufai, Claims Ex-Governor Not in Their Custody

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12 hours ago

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February 25, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the scheduled arraignment of Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, until April 23.

Mr. el-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) related to the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation. The charges stem from comments the former governor made during a television interview.

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The court had initially set Wednesday, February 25, for his arraignment. However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr. el-Rufai was not produced in court.

Oluwole Aladedoyin, counsel for the prosecution, informed the court that the former governor is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a separate matter.

“Unfortunately, the defendant is with the ICPC, and I do not know how far the investigation with the ICPC has gone,” Mr. Aladedoyin explained to the court.

The charges against the former governor pertain to an alleged breach of the Cybercrimes Act.

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How Kano Government Official Allegedly Intimidate And Insult Two Journalists On Lawful Duty

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13 hours ago

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February 25, 2026

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The controversy surrounding an alleged altercation between a Kano State government aide and a journalist during the Argungu Motor Rally has taken a new turn, as the journalist insists that legal action may be the only option if no formal communication or apology is issued.

The incident reportedly occurred at the Race Course in Kano metropolis during the Argungu Motor Rally, an event organized as part of activities marking the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.

The government official involved who was identified as Abdullahi Sani Rogo, a Senior Special Reporter with the Kano State Government, while the journalist at the center of the dispute is Abdulbaki Ali Ahmed Sharifai, who was covering the event in his professional capacity.

According to eyewitnesses, the alleged verbal exchange took place shortly after journalists including Mr. Sharifai conducted an interview at the venue.

The incident occurred in the presence of senior officials, including, comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Lawan Saji Rano, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism as well as Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, Chairman of the Kano State Censorship Board.

Following the incident, Mr. Sharifai proceeded to the Divisional Police Office in Bompai, headquarters of the Kano State Police Command, where he filed a formal complaint.

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However, Rogo declined to honor police invitation and using Kano state government house as shield from arrest.

Subsequently, Commissioner Waiya reportedly invited the journalist for dialogue and assured him that he would intervene in the matter and ensure that Mr. Rogo offers an apology to resolve the issue amicably.

However, as of the time of filing this report, no official apology or formal communication has been issued by Mr. Rogo, the Kano State Government, or the Office of Special Advisers to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Sources close to Mr. Sharifai revealed that he believes pursuing legal action may be the most appropriate course if the matter remains unaddressed formally.

The journalist reportedly maintains that he was carrying out his lawful professional duties at the time of the alleged insult and deserves institutional response and redress.

According to the source, Mr. Sharifai holds that without proper communication from the concerned government official, the Kano State Government, or the office of the governor’s special advisers, seeking remedy in a court of law remains the best available option to protect his rights and professional integrity.

The incident has generated conversations within media circles regarding respect for journalists, professionalism at public events.

As of press time, neither Mr. Rogo nor the Kano State Government has released an official public statement on the matter.

The situation remains under close observation as stakeholders await further developments, including whether reconciliation efforts will prevail or the matter will proceed to litigation.

Another Journalist with Hikima Radio Mubarak Auwal Unguwa Uku narrated his ordeal in the hand of Auwal Sani Rogo where he threaten him to cut off a live programme on the day Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was received in the All Progressives Congress at Sani Abacha Stadium.

 

Mubarak Auwal Unguwa Uku said this was how the Government official intimidated him

“He said I had to cut the live broadcast because there was a fight between security officers and the Chairman of Danbatta Local Government. The chairman removed his flowing gown and started brawling with the security officers because they stopped him from entering the VIP section.

So I said, if he is ignorant, let him ask how journalism works their quarrel should not force me to stop my work.

He tried to grab me and continued hurling insults. I kept my composure and ignored him. ”

 

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