The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the 2025 “wanted” notice issued against activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, as unlawful, ordering the police to pay ₦30 million in damages.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaaki held that the action of the Nigeria Police Force violated constitutional provisions and amounted to an abuse of power.
The court awarded the damages jointly against the police, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.
In a strongly worded ruling, Justice Kakaaki reaffirmed that no Nigerian can be criminalised for exercising the rights to free speech, peaceful protest, or holding public officials accountable. He criticised what he described as the “lawlessness” of the Lagos CP and held the IGP responsible for actions taken under his command.
The judge traced the evolution of the practice of declaring individuals wanted in Nigeria, stressing that current laws require strict procedural safeguards. According to the court, a person can only be declared wanted after a valid court-issued warrant, proper notification, and credible evidence that the individual is deliberately evading lawful judicial process.
The court further nullified the directive issued on 27 October 2025 by Commissioner Jimoh ordering Sowore to stay away from Lagos State, describing it as arbitrary, unconstitutional, and beyond police powers. Similarly, the public notice of 3 November 2025 declaring the activist wanted was ruled illegal, ultra vires, and a grave abuse of authority.
Sowore was declared wanted over allegations that he planned to mobilise a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge against the demolition of properties in Oworonshoki. The declaration followed an earlier warning instructing him to stay out of Lagos.
Challenging the move, Sowore filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the police authorities, seeking protection of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, freedom of movement, expression, and peaceful assembly under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In his affidavit, the activist maintained that he was declared wanted without any prior invitation, arrest warrant, or formal charge, arguing that the action damaged his reputation as a journalist, activist, and former presidential candidate. Through his counsel, Tope Temokun, he stated that he would have honoured any lawful invitation from the authorities.
Sowore sought an order restraining the police from further harassment or intimidation and asked the court to void the “wanted” notice. He also demanded ₦500 million in damages for alleged violations of his fundamental rights.
The police opposed the suit, insisting that the commissioner acted within his legal powers and that anyone dissatisfied could seek redress in court.
Speaking earlier on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Commissioner Jimoh had defended the declaration, claiming Sowore failed to honour an agreement to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba. He maintained at the time that the “wanted” notice remained in force and vowed that the police would pursue lawful steps to arrest and investigate him.
However, Friday’s judgment has now voided the declaration and awarded damages in favour of the activist.
