The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim order stopping the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police from harassing, arresting, or declaring human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
Justice Musa Kakaki granted the order on Wednesday, which will remain in effect pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
Sowore, reacting to the ruling, described it as a victory for justice and civil rights. He accused Lagos Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, of unprofessional conduct and political bias, recalling previous altercations with him during protests.
According to Sowore, the attempt to declare him wanted was unlawful and politically motivated. “He lost his mind and declared me wanted. We decided to challenge him, and the court has now restrained them from any attempt to do so,” he said.
He vowed to continue his activism, urging Nigerians to resist oppression and demand accountability from leaders. “Everyone must rise up against injustice, poverty, and government negligence. We are already slaves in our own country — trapped by unemployment, hunger, and corruption,” he stated.
Sowore praised his legal team for their commitment, especially his lawyer, Tope Temokun, who filed the case. Temokun confirmed that the order nullified the police declaration made on November 3.
“The court has restrained the police, particularly the Lagos Commissioner, from portraying Sowore as a wanted person. This means the declaration made earlier is now void,” Temokun said.
He added that the ruling reaffirmed confidence in the judiciary and demonstrated that the police have no authority to declare citizens wanted without proper investigation or legal basis.
Temokun emphasised that the fight would continue in court to secure full justice and damages, describing the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and the Nigerian people.
