Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and human rights activist, says the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Moshood Jimoh, Lagos police commissioner, are yet to comply with the recent court order awarding N30 million damages in his favour.
“CP Moshood Jimoh of the Lagos State Police Command and the
Nigeria Police Force have yet to comply with a Federal High Court judgment
ordering them to pay me ₦30 million in damages for illegally and unlawfully
declaring me “WANTED”,” Sowore posted on X on Monday.
He accused the police of disregarding the court judgement.
THE CASE
Last Friday, the federal high court in Lagos declared that
the commissioner of police acted illegally by declaring Sowore wanted.
Musa Kakaki, the trial judge, ruled that the November 2025
declaration of Sowore as wanted by the Lagos police commissioner in violated
the activist’s fundamental human rights.
Kakaki awarded N30 million damages against the Lagos police
commissioner and the inspector-general of police (IGP).
On November 3, 2025, the police commissioner declared Sowore
wanted over an alleged public disturbance after the activist joined a protest
over demolitions at the Oworonshoki community in Lagos state.
He accused Sowore of coming to Lagos to instigate public
disturbance over the demolitions of buildings in the community.
The Lagos police commissioner said there was no reason for
the protest since the state government had compensated those affected by the
demolitions.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
The police authorities cannot pay judgement debt as there is
a legislation guiding the process.
Before a judgement debt against government agencies can be
paid, it must be in line with the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Process
Act 2004.
The attorney-general of the federation must also first
approve the payment of the judgement debt.
After the AGF’s approval, the governor of the Central Bank
of Nigeria (CBN) must approve the order to deduct the amount from the law
enforcement agency’s bank accounts.
The legislation makes it very difficult for victims of
fundamental human rights violations to get judgement debts after a court must
have ruled in their favour.
Recently, the senate commenced the process to amend the
legislation.
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