A Federal High Court has ruled that the police acted unlawfully by declaring activist Omoyele Sowore “wanted” without proper legal backing, in a judgment delivered in the case between Sowore and the Nigeria Police Force.
Securitynewsalert.com heard that in its decision, the Federal High Court held that the police exceeded their powers by making the declaration without a valid court order or lawful process. The court stressed that such actions must follow due legal procedures rather than relying on the discretion of law enforcement authorities.
The court noted that publicly branding a citizen as “wanted” without due process amounts to oppression and violates fundamental rights, particularly the right to dignity. It also warned that law enforcement agencies cannot criminalise individuals in the eyes of the public without judicial authorisation.
According to the ruling, the police action undermined constitutional protections and failed to meet the standards required under the law.
Consequently, the court ruled in favour of Sowore and awarded him ₦30,000,000 (Thirty Million Naira) in damages. The judgment reaffirmed that state power must be exercised strictly within the confines of the law and with respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.
