“Not Above the Law”: Court Slams Police with ₦30m Fine for “Lawless” Wanted Notice Against Sowore
LAGOS — The Federal High Court in Lagos has delivered a massive judicial “blow” to the Nigeria Police Force, awarding ₦30 million in damages to activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
In a strongly worded judgment delivered on Friday, February 20, 2026, Justice Musa Kakaaki condemned the “lawlessness” of senior police officials who declared the former presidential candidate “wanted” in late 2025. The court ruled that the police acted as though they were “above the Constitution,” describing their attempt to ban Sowore from Lagos as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
While the police have yet to confirm if they will appeal, the judgment sets a major precedent: security agencies can no longer use “Wanted” notices as a tool for political intimidation without direct judicial oversight.
The “Wanted” Trap that Failed
The legal battle began on November 3, 2025, when the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, branded Sowore “wanted” during a protest against house demolitions in Oworonshoki.
- The Police Tactic: Commissioner Jimoh had previously issued a public warning on October 27, 2025, ordering Sowore to “stay away from Lagos State.”
- The Court’s Rejection: Justice Kakaaki ruled that the police lack the power to “ban” a citizen from a state or declare them wanted without a valid court-issued warrant and proof that the person is evading justice.
The ₦30m Bill for “Tyranny”
The court held the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh accountable for the misconduct. The Verdict: “No Nigerian can be criminalized for speaking, protesting, or holding the government accountable,” Justice Kakaaki declared. The Fine: The ₦30 million award serves as a penalty for the “unlawful, unconstitutional, and oppressive” violation of Sowore’s fundamental rights.
“A Blow to Their Tyranny”
Reacting to the news, Sowore took to social media to celebrate the verdict as a victory for all Nigerians. “This judgment delivered a resounding blow this morning to their tyranny,” Sowore wrote, noting that it sends a loud message that “abuse of power has consequences.”
The victory comes at a critical time for the activist, who revealed he is currently juggling nine different court cases filed by the government and police, including ongoing trials for alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu and the IGP’s family.
What’s Next?
While the police have yet to confirm if they will appeal, the judgment sets a major precedent: security agencies can no longer use “Wanted” notices as a tool for political intimidation without direct judicial oversight.