Nigerian Lawyer Sues Governor Sanwo-Olu for Blocking Him on Twitter
- A Nigerian lawyer has taken legal action against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state for allegedly blocking him on Twitter
- Festus Ogun claims the block caused him mental stress and is asking the court to compel the governor to unblock and apologise
- The case raises fresh questions about digital rights and public officials’ conduct on social media platforms
Festus Ogun, a Nigerian lawyer and social commentator, has filed a lawsuit against Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allegedly blocking him on Twitter, now known as X.
The legal action, announced by Ogun on August 29, via his personal account, has drawn attention to the growing discourse around digital access and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Source: Twitter
In a post shared on X, Ogun stated:
“I have now sued Sanwo-Olu for blocking me on Twitter. I asked the court to compel him to unblock and apologise to me. Truly, I have gone through mental stress and trauma over this matter but I will not ask for damages so I won’t be seen as a golddiger. Just unblock me.”
The lawyer’s decision to pursue legal redress without seeking financial compensation has sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising his stance as principled and others questioning the broader implications of such a case.
Ogun’s lawsuit reportedly seeks a court order compelling Governor Sanwo-Olu to reverse the block and issue a formal apology. He argued that being denied access to the governor’s posts on a public platform infringes on his right to participate in civic discourse and hold public officials accountable.
The case adds to a growing number of legal challenges worldwide concerning public figures’ use of social media and the boundaries of digital engagement.
While Nigerian courts have yet to establish clear precedents on such matters, Ogun’s suit may test the limits of digital rights under the country’s constitutional framework.
As of now, Governor Sanwo-Olu has not issued a public response to the lawsuit.
Source: UGC
Who is Sanwo-Olu?
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is a Nigerian politician currently serving as the 15th Governor of Lagos State. He assumed office on 29 May 2019 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), succeeding Akinwunmi Ambode.
Born on 25 June 1965 in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He furthered his education at prestigious institutions including the London Business School, Lagos Business School, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.
Sanwo-Olu rewards LASU’s best graduating student
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Lagos state government, in a show of educational support, has awarded a N10 million cash prize to the Lagos State University's best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session, Isioma Sybil Nwosu, a first-class graduate in Biochemistry.
This was disclosed in a statement shared on Facebook by the state government on Thursday, July 17. Legit.ng gathered that the award was presented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, in his office at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the statement, Sule reiterates the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration's commitment to promoting scholarship, research, and academic virtue in tertiary institutions across the state.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
