Federal High Court bars police from arresting Sowore
The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order restraining the Lagos State Police Command and its Commissioner of Police from arresting, harassing, or intimidating Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and prominent human rights activist.
The interim injunction was granted on Wednesday by Justice Musa Kakaki, following an application filed by Sowore seeking the protection of his fundamental rights.
In his ruling, Justice Kakaki directed the respondents, particularly the Lagos Commissioner of Police, to refrain from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit.”
According to affidavits attached to the suit, Sowore stated that he had not received any formal police invitation or warrant of arrest before being declared wanted by Commissioner Moshood Jimoh.
He maintained that the police action was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.
Sowore argued that the police declaration had maliciously damaged his reputation as a journalist, activist, and former presidential candidate, describing it as an attempt to suppress his voice and intimidate him into silence.
“That unless restrained urgently by this honourable court, the respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go,” Sowore deposed in his affidavit of urgency.
“I am not aware of any offence committed by me, and I was never invited by the police before the declaration made on November 3, 2025.”
The controversy stems from a statement made by Commissioner of Police Jimoh on Monday, during a media briefing in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, where he declared Sowore wanted for allegedly inciting public unrest over the demolition of buildings in the community.
The police chief had accused Sowore of visiting the area to provoke residents and disrupt public peace, vowing to arrest and prosecute him.
However, with the court’s decision, the police command is now legally restrained from taking any action against Sowore until the substantive case is heard and determined.
Reacting to the ruling, Sowore expressed satisfaction with the court’s intervention, saying it reinforced his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary despite widespread public doubts.
“Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but I believe that trust in our courts depends on citizens who stand up and insist that justice must be done,” Sowore told reporters after the ruling.
“My activism has always been about justice and freedom for every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religion. I thank the court for its courage in granting this important order.”