Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has filed a ₦1.2 billion lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by a team of 20 human rights lawyers led by Tope Temokun, challenges what Sowore described as his “illegal arrest, detention, and arraignment” by police officers in Abuja.
Sowore claimed that his arrest on October 23, 2025, and subsequent arraignment the following day, were “unlawful, oppressive, and a clear violation” of his constitutional rights to liberty, dignity, and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 5, 6, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In his affidavit, Sowore stated that he was arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja while attending a legal proceeding. He said the police accused him of taking part in a peaceful protest allegedly in violation of a previous court order—an order he insists was never served on him.
“The police acted outside the law and resorted to self-help,” Sowore stated, adding that his arrest was meant to intimidate and silence him.
His legal team is asking the court to order the respondents to jointly pay ₦200 million as general damages and ₦1 billion as punitive damages for the violation of his rights. They are also seeking an order compelling the police and IGP to publicly apologize in at least three national newspapers.
In addition, Sowore is requesting that the Attorney General of the Federation take disciplinary action against the IGP and the FCT Police Commissioner under the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
According to court documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the case was officially filed and acknowledged by the Federal High Court Cashier’s Office in Abuja on November 12, 2025.
Sowore’s legal team includes well-known rights lawyers such as Marshal Abubakar, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Inibehe Effiong, Deji Adeyanju, Festus Ogun, and others.
