At the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial, the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police were found guilty of violating the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters, and the Federal High Court in Lagos awarded them ₦10 million in damages.
In her ruling on Thursday, Justice M. Kakaki found that although the petitioners took part in a peaceful procession permitted by the constitution, they were unfairly harassed by police authorities.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, and a number of other people filed the lawsuit, which contested the police’s actions during the October 2023 memorial.
Judge Kakaki ruled that the demonstrators’ rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association under the 1999 Constitution had been violated by the use of force and intimidation against them.
The court declared that although the police are empowered by the constitution to implement the law, they must do so in a way that upholds democratic values and the rule of law.
Read Also: Obasa Backs ‘Produce for Lagos’ Initiative, Applauds N500bn Offtake Plan
In the fundamental rights suit, 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 listed as applicants.
Additionally, three organizations co-applied: the Campaign for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), the Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC).
In addition to holding the IGP and Lagos CP jointly accountable for the “unwarranted crackdown on citizens engaging in peaceful remembrance,” Justice Kakaki granted the applicants ₦10 million in general damages.
In addition to cautioning that the practice of stifling dissent under the pretense of security has to end, the court upheld the demonstrators’ freedom to peacefully gather without police intervention.
