Human rights advocate and politician Omoyele Sowore on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
Sowore filed the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that the police and other government officials infringed upon his fundamental human rights.
Other respondents named in the lawsuit include the Nigeria Police Force and the commissioner of police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sowore stated that he was arrested on October 23, 2025, near the court premises, alleging that the arrest was connected to claims that he took part in a peaceful protest that allegedly breached a court order.
He asserted that he was never served with any restraining order before the protest and contended that instead of returning to court to resolve the matter, the authorities opted to arrest him and others.
Sowore mentioned that he was brought to court the next day, October 24, 2025, on charges of disobeying a court order.
He maintained that he did not violate any laws and that his arrest and detention were unlawful.
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The plaintiff further pointed out that the police did not provide any solid evidence or specify any crime he had committed.
Sowore criticized the claim that he participated in a protest as weak and inadequate to justify his detention.
He accused the respondents of using intimidation to silence him for exercising his constitutional rights and claimed that his treatment constituted torture, which is prohibited under the Anti-Torture Act.
Sowore requested the court to declare his arrest, detention, and harassment unlawful, asserting that they violated his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and human dignity.
Also, he is seeking N1.2 billion in general and exemplary damages and has demanded a public apology from the respondents to be published in at least three national newspapers.
When the case was heard in court on Wednesday, none of the respondents had legal representation.
Consequently, Justice Mohammed Umar ordered that new hearing notices be issued to all parties and postponed the case until March 10 for further proceedings.
