Court Restrains Lagos Police from Arresting Sowore over Alleged Incitement Claims

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim order restraining the Lagos State Police Command and its Commissioner of Police from arresting, harassing or intimidating Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and well-known human rights advocate. The order, granted by Justice Musa Kakaki on Wednesday, followed Sowore’s application to protect his fundamental rights from alleged police threats.

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki directed the respondents, especially 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.” The court emphasized that due process must be followed in any matter involving Sowore or his journalistic work.

According to affidavits attached to the case, Sowore maintained that he never received any police invitation or warrant before being declared wanted by Commissioner Moshood Jimoh. He described the police action as unlawful, insisting it violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty and freedom of movement. Sowore argued that the declaration had tarnished his reputation as a journalist, activist and former presidential candidate, calling it a deliberate attempt to silence his voice and suppress dissent.

“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. “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 began after Commissioner Jimoh publicly accused Sowore of inciting unrest in Oworonshoki during protests over building demolitions, vowing to arrest and prosecute him. However, with the court’s intervention, the police command is now legally barred from taking any action against Sowore until the case is fully determined.

Reacting to the ruling, Sowore expressed relief and appreciation for the court’s decision, saying it reaffirmed his faith in Nigeria’s judicial system. “Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but I believe confidence in our courts comes from citizens who demand justice,” he told reporters. “My activism has always been about freedom and fairness for every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, gender or religion. I thank the court for its courage in granting this order.”