Counsel upbeat, as Sowore floors CP, IGP in Lagos case
…As court awards N30m damages against police
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
Counsel to activist, Omoyele Sowore, Tope Temokun, has called on Nigerians to build on the success of his client before a Lagos court in defeating the police authorities in court.
Today’s judgment stands as a loud constitutional warning against the abuse of state power in Nigeria.
Temokun, in a statement he made available to journalists on Friday, observed that declaring Sowore wanted last November was illegal and so ruled the court.
“Justice M. Kakaki of the Federal High Court Lagos, has, in a judgment delivered and read for one hour and thirty minutes, ruled against the Commissioner of Police, Lagos, CP Moshood Jimoh; and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in the case filed by Omoyele Sowore to challenge his being declared wanted in Lagos on the 3rd November 2025 and awarded ₦30 million in damages against the CP and the IGP.
“The court reaffirmed a fundamental truth: No Nigerian can be criminalised for speaking, protesting, or holding government accountable.
“Declaring a citizen wanted without lawful authority is not policing, it is oppression, and our constitution firmly rejects it.
“This victory is not merely for Omoyele Sowore, but it belongs to every Nigerian who refuses to surrender freedom to intimidation.
“The court awarded ₦30 million in damages against the CP and the IGP. But let it be clearly stated that money is not the true reward of this case. The real victory lies in the profound jurisprudential value of the judgment.
“In a deeply reasoned decision grounded in law and history, the court condemned the lawlessness of the CP and held the IGP accountable for that misconduct.
“The court traced the historical practice of declaring citizens wanted and made it clear that the law had evolved: Only a court of law, upon issuance of a warrant, proper notice, and proof that a citizen is evading lawful process, can authorise such declaration.
“The court held as follows: That the pronouncement of the CP of 27 October, 2025, warning Omoyele Sowore to stay away from Lagos, was arbitrary, unconstitutional, and beyond police powers;
“the declaration of 3rd November, 2025 branding Sowore wanted was illegal, ultra vires, unconstitutional, and a grave abuse of power;
“the misconduct of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, attracted judicial condemnation, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was held liable for that improper exercise of authority.
“This judgment restores constitutional order.
“We salute the courage of the court for standing firmly on the side of justice, liberty, and constitutional governance. We appreciate this courage demonstrated by our court, where power bows before law and freedom prevails over intimidation.
“One problem with Nigerians is the lack of will to consolidate on their gain. Nigerians must now stand up to consolidate on this historical donation by the judiciary, that asking questions is not a crime in Nigeria and that citizenship is not obedience to unlawful authority,” said.
