Human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore has filed a ₦500 million lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force. The legal action names the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, as respondents .
The lawsuit follows a public announcement on November 3, 2025, where the Lagos police commissioner declared Sowore a "wanted person" through the media. This declaration was related to plans for a protest against building demolitions in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos . Sowore argues in his court filing that this was done without any prior police invitation, arrest warrant, or formal criminal charge being issued against him .
The case has been filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Sowore is seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal dignity, liberty, and freedom of movement. These rights are guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights . His legal team, which includes several prominent human rights lawyers, filed the suit alongside an affidavit of urgency that was personally sworn by Sowore .
In his affidavit, Sowore described himself as a law-abiding citizen. He stated that he would have honored any lawful invitation from the police for questioning. He argued that the public "wanted" declaration has severely damaged his reputation as a journalist, pro-democracy campaigner, and former presidential candidate . He contends the police action was designed to stifle his freedom of movement and silence his activism .
The legal motion asks the court for several urgent orders. One request is for permission to serve the court documents to the IGP and the police commissioner through the Lagos police command. Sowore also seeks an interim injunction to stop the police from harassing, intimidating, or arresting him. Another request is for an order to temporarily suspend the effect of the "wanted" person declaration until the main lawsuit is decided . Sowore further demands the court to award him ₦500 million in damages for the violation of his rights .
Despite the lawsuit, the Lagos police commissioner has publicly defended his decision. In a television interview on Wednesday, Commissioner Moshood Jimoh stated that the declaration against Sowore remains in force . He claimed that Sowore's lawyer had made contact and agreed that the activist would report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba, Lagos. The commissioner alleged that Sowore then failed to appear as agreed .
Jimoh dismissed Sowore's claim that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered officers to "shoot on sight." The commissioner called this a "major misinformation" . He asserted his legal authority to declare individuals wanted and challenged those who disagree to seek justice in court .
This legal conflict is the latest in a series of confrontations between Sowore and Nigerian authorities in 2025. In August, he was questioned by police over a petition alleging forgery and criminal defamation. During that interrogation, sources indicated that police secured a court order to detain him after he demanded to see the original copy of the petition against him .
Sowore also faces ongoing cybercrime charges from the federal government. These charges are based on social media posts he made about President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police . A separate attempt to be arraigned on these charges was delayed in September because he had not been formally served with the charge sheet . In a related matter, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently rejected Sowore's request to have his passport returned so he could travel to the United States to see his family .
The planned protest that triggered the police action was against the demolition of structures in Oworonshoki, Lagos. Residents argue these demolitions have displaced families without proper compensation. The Lagos State government says it is removing illegal structures and criminal hideouts as part of an urban renewal project .
The Federal High Court in Lagos is expected to hear the fundamental rights case soon. The outcome could have significant implications for police powers and the rights of citizens to protest and express dissent.