Breaking: Court Gives Fresh Order to IGP, Tinubu's Minister Over Sowore's Case
- A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered hearing notices to be served on the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation in Omoyele Sowore’s ₦1.2bn fundamental rights suit
- Sowore is challenging his alleged unlawful arrest, detention and assault following his re-arrest after being granted bail over the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest
- The court adjourned the case to March 10, 2026, while Sowore’s lawyer accused the police of impunity and abuse of power
FCT, Abuja - A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that hearing notices be served on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, in a N1.2 billion fundamental rights suit filed by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore is challenging what he described as his unlawful arrest, detention, and physical assault by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Source: Twitter
The suit lists the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, and the AGF as respondents.
The legal action followed Sowore’s re-arrest on October 23, 2025, at the Kuje Magistrate Court shortly after he was granted bail. The arrest was linked to his participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
Sowore's suit: What happened at the court
At the court sitting, Justice Umar observed that none of the defendants or their legal representatives was present. The court consequently ordered that hearing notices be properly served on all the respondents to ensure their appearance.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter to March 10, 2026, for a definite hearing.
Speaking after the proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, criticised the conduct of the police, describing it as part of a broader pattern of impunity.
He insisted that peaceful protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right and argued that citizens who commit no offence should not be subjected to arrest or prosecution.
Marshal described the alleged actions of the police as an abuse of power, adding that the suit was aimed not only at securing justice for Sowore but also at safeguarding the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
Source: Twitter
Among the reliefs sought in the suit are ₦1 billion in punitive damages, an additional ₦200 million in damages, the cost of litigation, and a public apology from the security agencies involved.
Sowore arrested in court
Legit.ng earlier reported that human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested by the police at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The arrest took place shortly after he attended proceedings related to the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Before his arrest, Sowore had shared a video of himself at the Federal High Court, where he said he met Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Lawyer speaks on Sowore's arrest
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Inibehe Effiong, a legal practitioner, condemned the arrest of Sowore and demanded his release.
However, his call has started generating reactions from some Nigerians.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
