The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has issued an order restraining the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies from arresting or declaring human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
Justice Musa Kakaki granted the interim injunction following an application filed by Sowore after reports emerged that the Lagos State Police Command had allegedly declared him wanted over unspecified allegations.
In his ruling, Justice Kakaki directed the respondents, particularly the Commissioner of Police, to desist from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit.”
Reacting to the court’s decision, Sowore described the order as a reaffirmation of his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, despite widespread public scepticism about the system.
“Many people say they don’t trust the judiciary, but the trust in our judiciary is not up to the judges—it is up to citizens who show up to say justice must be done.
I thank the court for having the courage to take up this matter late in the day and for granting this important order,” he said.
The activist criticised the attempt to declare him wanted, calling it “a drunken declaration” that lacked any legal basis or formal investigation.
“Under the law, the police do not have the power to just wake up and describe somebody as wanted without any investigation or invitation.
It shows how far institutions have strayed from legality,” he stated.
Sowore, who was accompanied to court by his legal team and supporters, said the ruling underscored the continued relevance of the rule of law in Nigeria, even amid growing political intimidation and abuse of state power.
“This struggle is not about me. It is about justice and freedom for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religion.
The police or anyone in authority must not think they can silence dissent through intimidation,” he said.
The AAC chieftain, who has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years, described the move by the police as part of a broader pattern of harassment against dissenting voices.
“When the state begins to act outside the law, it creates an atmosphere of fear and injustice. But we must resist that peacefully.
Nigeria can only progress when law enforcement institutions operate within their constitutional limits,” he added.
Sowore also commended his legal team for their “dogged commitment to justice” and expressed appreciation to the presiding judge for hearing the matter despite the lateness of the hour.
“The judge was already tired; it was the last case of the day. Yet he still gave it his attention. That’s what courage looks like,” he remarked.
The court order specifically restrains the police from acting on any declaration made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on November 3, 2025, portraying Sowore as a wanted person. The order remains in effect pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit challenging the legality of the alleged police declaration.
As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued any official response to the court’s ruling.
