The Federal High Court 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 2024 #EndSARS memorial.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice M. Kakaki held that the actions of the police during the protest, which took place on October 20, 2024, were unlawful and infringed on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the applicants.
“The applicants were unjustly harassed and their rights infringed upon,” the judge ruled.
Justice Kakaki emphasized that while law enforcement agencies have a duty to maintain public order, such powers must be exercised within the bounds of the law and in accordance with democratic values. He noted that the protesters were entitled to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The applicants in the case include: Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, 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.
The court also acknowledged three applicant organisations that joined the suit: the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
