Court Delivers N10m Judgment Against Police in Favour of #EndSARS Protesters

The Federal High Court in Lagos ordered ₦10 million in damages against the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for violating peaceful protestors’ fundamental rights at the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial.
Justice M. Kakaki, who delivered the decision on Thursday, concluded that the applicants were unfairly harassed by law enforcement officers notwithstanding their participation in a constitutionally authorized peaceful parade.
The action, brought by Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, and others, questioned the police’s conduct during the October 2023 memorial.

Justice Kakaki ruled that the use of force and intimidation against the protesters violated their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

“The police have constitutional powers to enforce laws, but such powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” according to the court.

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Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman were also named as applicants in the fundamental rights suit.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) were all co-applicants.

Justice Kakaki awarded the applicants ₦10 million in general damages and held the IGP and Lagos CP jointly responsible for the “unwarranted crackdown on citizens engaging in peaceful remembrance.”

The court reaffirmed the protesters’ right to peaceful assembly without police interference, saying that the culture of repressing dissent under the pretense of security must be ended.