The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has awarded ₦10 million in damages against the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for violating the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters during the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial.

Justice M. Kakaki, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruled that the applicants were unjustly harassed by law enforcement officials despite participating in a constitutionally protected peaceful procession.

The suit, filed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, and several others, challenged the conduct of the police during the October 2023 memorial.

Justice Kakaki held that the use of force and intimidation against the protesters amounted to a violation of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“The police have constitutional powers to enforce laws, but such powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” the court stated.

Also listed as applicants in the fundamental rights suit were 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.

Three organisations, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), were also co-applicants.

Justice Kakaki awarded ₦10 million in general damages to the applicants, holding the IGP and Lagos CP jointly liable for the “unwarranted crackdown on citizens engaging in peaceful remembrance.”

The court reaffirmed the protesters’ right to assemble peacefully without police interference, warning that the culture of suppressing dissent under the guise of security must be curtailed.