Court Stops Lagos CP From Declaring Sowore Wanted

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has stopped the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring a former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore wanted.

This was made public by Sowore on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, November 5.

Following the ruling, Sowore described Lagos police chief as “incompetent.”

“I just left the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the court restrained the incompetent CP of @policeng Lagos Command, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring Omoyele Sowore WANTED,” the activist wrote.

 

The post comes amid renewed legal battles between Sowore and the Nigerian Police Force over what he described as “unlawful intimidation and political persecution.”

 

Sowore had recently filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.

 

In the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1923/2025, the former presidential candidate sought judicial protection after the Lagos Police Command allegedly declared him wanted in connection with a protest organised in the state.

 

Sowore argued that the “wanted” notice was illegal, defamatory, and intended to intimidate him for his activism. He asked the court to restrain the police from further harassment, arrest, or public labelling that could endanger his life and reputation.

 

He also demanded damages for what he described as the violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

 

Reacting after the court ruling on Wednesday, Sowore hailed the decision as a victory for democracy and a reminder that no one is above the law.

 

While describing the Lagos CP as “incompetent,” the activist accused the police of attempting to silence dissenting voices under the guise of maintaining public order.

 

As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to officially react to the court’s ruling.