A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has restrained the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, wanted.
Sowore disclosed this in a post on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, November 5, where he hailed the ruling and described the Lagos police chief as “incompetent.”
“I just left the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the court restrained the incompetent CP of @policeng Lagos Command, Moshood Jimoh, from declaring Omoyele Sowore WANTED,” he wrote.
The development comes amid a legal dispute between Sowore and the Nigeria Police Force, which the activist says is an attempt to intimidate and silence him for his activism.
Sowore had earlier filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1923/2025, he sought judicial protection after the Lagos Police Command allegedly declared him wanted over a protest held in the state.
He described the “wanted” notice as unlawful and defamatory, arguing that it was intended to harass and endanger him. He also asked the court to restrain the police from further harassment, arrest, or public labelling that could threaten his safety and reputation.
Sowore demanded compensation for the alleged violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Sowore described it as a victory for democracy and a reaffirmation that no one is above the law.
As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the ruling.