The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million in damages for the violation of the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters.
Justice M. Kakaki, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, held that although the police possess constitutional authority to enforce the law, such powers must be exercised within the bounds of democratic values and the rule of law.
The court found that the applicants activists and civil society members—were unjustly harassed while participating in a peaceful procession on 20 October 2024, to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement.
The judge ruled that the police violated the applicants’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and association, as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Justice Kakaki affirmed that peaceful protest is a legitimate form of civic expression and that any suppression of such right amounts to a breach of the Constitution.
The applicants include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Miss Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman.
Also included are three civil society groups: Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).