Court restrains police from arresting, intimidating Sowore

The federal high court in Lagos has restrained the state police command and the commissioner of police from arresting or intimidating Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and human rights activist.

Musa Kakaki, the trial judge, on Wednesday, issued the order following a suit filed by Sowore.

The judge granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the commissioner of police, from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit”.

In the affidavits attached to the suit, Sowore deposed that he had not been served with any formal police invitation or warrant of arrest before he was declared wanted by Moshood Jimoh, Lagos police commissioner.

He added that his constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and free movement had been severely impaired by the actions of the police commissioner.

Sowore argued that the declaration by the police commissioner unlawfully tainted his reputation as a respected journalist and former presidential candidate, noting that it was intended to stifle his freedom and silence his activism.

He urged the court to restrain the police and their agents from further harassing, intimidating, or arresting him and to set aside the public declaration labelling him as a wanted person.

“That unless restrained urgently by this honourable court, the respondents will continue to threaten and harass me everywhere I go,” Sowore stated in his affidavits of urgency.

“That I am not also aware of any offences committed by me, and neither have I been extended any prior invitation before the 1st Respondent’s declaration on the 3rd day of November 2025.”

On Monday, while addressing journalists in the Oworonshoki community of Lagos, the commissioner of police declared Sowore wanted over alleged public disturbance.

Jimoh accused Sowore of visiting Lagos to incite unrest over the demolition of buildings in the community.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Lagos police commissioner insisted that the command would arrest Sowore and prosecute him for alleged disturbance of public peace.

‘COURT VERDICT REAFFIRMS MY TRUST IN JUDICIARY’

Speaking after the court ruling, Sowore said the court ruling reaffirmed his faith in the Nigerian judiciary despite public scepticism.

He noted that his activism is about justice and freedom for all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religion.

“Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but the trust in our judiciary is not up to the judges—it is up to citizens who show up to say justice must be done,” Sowore said.

“I thank the court for having the courage to take up this matter late in the day and for granting this important order.”