The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order barring the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies from arresting or declaring human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
Justice Musa Kakaki granted the interim injunction on Wednesday following an application filed by Sowore, who alleged that the Lagos State Police Command had unlawfully declared him wanted over unspecified allegations.
In the ruling, the court directed the police and other respondents to refrain from "harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit."
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Sowore described the court’s decision as a reaffirmation of his belief in the Nigerian judiciary, saying that justice remains attainable when citizens demand accountability through lawful means.
"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 described the alleged attempt to label him wanted as politically motivated and lacking any legal basis.
He dismissed the move as a "drunken declaration," insisting that the police had neither invited him for questioning nor presented any evidence of wrongdoing.
"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," Sowore said.
Flanked by his legal team and supporters, he stated that the order showed the continuing relevance of the rule of law amid growing cases of political intimidation and abuse of state power.
"This struggle is not about me. It is about justice and freedom for all Nigerians. The police or anyone in authority must not think they can silence dissent through intimidation," he said.
Sowore, who has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years, said he viewed the development as part of a broader pattern of state 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 said.
He commended his lawyers for their "dogged commitment to justice" and thanked Justice Kakaki for hearing the case 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 or enforcing any declaration made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on November 3, 2025, portraying Sowore as a wanted person.
The injunction will remain in force pending the hearing of the substantive suit challenging the legality of the police action.
As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the ruling.
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