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

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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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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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