Court Stops Lagos Police Commissioner From Declaring Sowore Wanted

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has barred the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore wanted.

Sowore made the development known on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, November 5, while describing the Lagos police chief as “incompetent.”

“I just left the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the court restrained the incompetent CP of @policeng Lagos Command, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring Omoyele Sowore WANTED,” he wrote.

The ruling follows ongoing tensions between Sowore and the Nigerian Police Force, which he accused of “unlawful intimidation and political persecution.”

Earlier, Sowore had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. In the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1923/2025, he argued that the attempt to declare him wanted over a protest in Lagos was illegal, defamatory, and a deliberate move to stifle his activism.

He urged the court to protect his rights and restrain the police from any further acts of harassment, arrest, or public labeling that could threaten his safety and reputation. Sowore also demanded damages for what he called the violation of his constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.

Following the court’s decision, Sowore described the judgment as a victory for democracy and a reminder that “no one is above the law.”

As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue a statement on the ruling.