News
Court Bars Police From Declaring Sowore Wanted
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/omoyele-sowore.jpg&description=Court Bars Police From Declaring Sowore Wanted', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/omoyele-sowore.jpg&description=Court Bars Police From Declaring Sowore Wanted', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Federal High Court, Lagos, has restrained the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies from arresting human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
It also restrained them from intimidating or declaring the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) wanted.
Justice Musa Kakaki’s order followed an application filed by Sowore after reports surfaced that the Lagos State Police Command had allegedly declared him wanted in connection with unspecified allegations.
In the ruling, the judge granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the Commissioner of Police, from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest, or declaring the applicant wanted pending the determination of the substantive suit”.
Speaking shortly after the ruling, Sowore said the order marked a reaffirmation of his faith in the Nigerian judiciary, even in the face of widespread public skepticism about the system.
According to him, the decision demonstrated that justice is still possible when citizens actively engage the courts to defend their rights.
“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,” Sowore said.
The activist alleged that the attempt to declare him wanted was illegal and motivated by political considerations rather than any legitimate investigation.
He described the action of the police as a “drunken declaration,” arguing that no criminal case or invitation had been extended to him before the move to label him a fugitive.
“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 flanked by his legal team and supporters, said the order was a reminder that the rule of law still matters in Nigeria, despite increasing cases of political intimidation and misuse of state institutions.
He vowed to continue his activism peacefully and within the bounds of law.
“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.
Sowore, who has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years, said he viewed the latest development as part of a wider pattern of harassment targeted at voices of dissent.
However, he maintained that such tactics would not deter him or others advocating for a better country.
“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 also used the occasion to commend his legal counsel for what he described as “dogged commitment to justice” and thanked the 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,” Sowore remarked.
The court’s order, which was read out to journalists, specifically restrains the police from giving effect to any declaration made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on November 3, 2025, portraying Sowore as a wanted person.
The order is expected to subsist pending further hearing on the substantive suit challenging the legality of the police declaration.
The Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official response as of press time.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
President Tinubu Will Commission Roads 01 and 02 Linking Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello Way Today
#FCTRenewedHope
#FCTProjectsCommissioning
News
BEWARE: FG warns 26 States of flood, places, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Adamawa, Benue, others as critical risk areas
The Federal Government has alerted residents of 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the possibility of flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country.
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under its Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The ministry said several communities across the country have been identified as areas that could face serious flood threats during the period.
According to the forecast released on June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in many locations, raising concerns about possible flooding in vulnerable communities.
States placed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
In Abia State, the affected communities include Aba, Arochukwu and Umuahia. In Adamawa, the ministry listed Jimeta and Numan, while Eket, Oron and Uyo were named in Akwa Ibom. In Anambra, Onitsha Inland Town and Awka Urban Drainage Corridors were identified as vulnerable locations.
Bayelsa communities such as Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe Town were also listed among areas that could be affected by flooding.
Other locations mentioned include Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala in Benue State; Calabar Metropolis and Creek Town in Cross River State; Asaba, Warri and Sapele in Delta State; and Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke in Ebonyi State.
The ministry also identified Benin City Urban Core and Auchi in Edo State, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as well as Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Town in Enugu State.
In Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe were listed, while Lokoja and Ajaokuta were named in Kogi State. Communities such as Ilorin, Jebba and Pategi in Kwara State were also included in the warning.
Several parts of Lagos State were equally listed among the areas at risk.
These include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.
In Niger State, Bida, Minna, Mokwa, Suleja and Kontagora were identified, while Abeokuta, Ota and Sagamu were listed in Ogun State.
The flood alert further covered Akure, Owo and Okitipupa in Ondo State; Oshogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Osun State; Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo in Oyo State; as well as Port Harcourt Urban Core, Bonny, Ahoada and Omoku in Rivers State.
Apart from the states under the critical-risk category, the ministry also placed parts of Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states under a high-risk category.
Communities listed in this group include Yola North, Yola South, Mubi and Gurin in Adamawa State; Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse in the FCT; Birnin Kebbi and Argungu in Kebbi State; Bako in Kogi State; and Keffi, Lafia, Karu and Toto in Nasarawa State.
The warning also covered Jos and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Serti and Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
NUJ Hails Oyekunle’s ECOWAS Court Victory, Says It Is a Win for Journalism, Press Freedom
DAY 13 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT
Two men to die by hanging over abduction of NYSC staff
-
News22 hours agoViral ‘Sign-Out’ Video: Ondo Govt Withholds WAEC Results of 17 Students
-
News22 hours agoXenophobic attacks: FG evacuates another 66 citizens from South Africa
-
News18 hours agoSoldiers Reject Fresh Move To Deploy ‘Repentant’ Terrorists In Military Operations, Fear Sabotage, Intelligence Leaks
-
News19 hours agoDAY 12 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT: Watch Arterial Road N16 – Ring Road Il Intersection linking Jahi to Gwarimpa District
-
News22 hours agoICPC arraigns El-Rufai, six others over alleged N8.68bn CCTV contract fraud
-
News19 hours agoFG freezes bank accounts of confirmed terrorism financiers(See list)
-
News18 hours ago10 survived as building collapses in Lagos
-
News17 hours agoFinally, oil prices crash to $72 pre-war level