I’m Broke, DSS And Police Should Pay Me ₦30 Million And Return My Property — Sowore

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) of failing to pay court-ordered damages owed to him, leaving him in financial distress.

In a recent press interview, Sowore said the agencies are “culpable and liable” to pay him ₦30 million in judgment debts, but they have yet to release the funds. He described the situation as a major strain, adding that he is currently “broke” and urgently needs the money.

He also revealed that the DSS owes him over ₦2.5 million from a separate judgment issued in 2021 or 2022, and still retains three of his mobile phones along with ₦10,000 that were seized in 2019. Additionally, Sowore said the DSS has blocked his GTBank account since 2019, even after dropping the treason case previously filed against him, leaving about $100 inaccessible.

“When they pay, part of the money will go into activism, but I will also give some to charity,” he said. Sowore plans to support residents of Oworonshoki whose homes were threatened with demolition during his period of being declared wanted, as well as distribute scholarships through his foundation to disadvantaged youths.

Sowore stressed that enforcement of court judgments is critical to curbing abuses by security agencies. “The police is notorious for not paying judgment debts. If they knew that whenever they abuse people’s rights and a court orders them to pay, it would hold them accountable, it would help curb recklessness and impunity,” he said.

He emphasized that while court rulings are important, true justice requires that judgments be implemented. “The judiciary must work in our lifetime. But the judiciary is not just to give judgment. It must enforce its judgments,” Sowore added.