Activists Win Legal Victory Against Nigerian Police over Fundamental Rights Violation in Lagos
Court Awards N10 million Damages
A significant legal victory which re-affirms the right of people to freedom of assembly was won on Thursday July 24 in Lagos by activists from the #EndBadGovernace Movement Lagos and Take it Back. Delivering judgement on the fundamental right suit against the Nigerian Police and Lagos State Government, Justice Kakaaki of the Federal High Court Lagos categorically condemned the police for arresting the activists on 20 October last year, being the anniversary of #EndSARS Lekki massacre. The judge affirmed that fundamental rights of the activists ate inalienable and inviolable while restraining the police from any further action in violation of their rights. Lastly, the Court awarded a sum of N10million against the Nigerian police to be paid to the applicants as damages.
The activists include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Coordinator Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Durorike Olawale, Osugba Blessing and Gideon Adeyeni, all members of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).
Others are Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, 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, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi and Afeez Suleiman. The ERC is also part of the plaintiffs.
The activists were represented by Joseph Opute Esq, who commendably took case up pro bono.
The activists had gathered peacefully at Lekki Toll Gate to commemorate the October 2020 killings and maiming of #EndSARS protesters by the Buhari-led APC government, but were severely beaten, brutalized and sexually harassed by the marauding gang of police led by the then Police Commissioner and CSP Adetayo.
The government of Tinubu and APC at all levels does not only repeatedly cracks down on protests against its anti-poor policies but also criminalizes them. For instance, eleven activists including Adaramoye Michael Lenin, National Coordinator of Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) and member of the DSM, are currently standing trial for treason, which carries a death penalty, at the Federal High Court Abuja over the August 2024 nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest. Also, the Lagos state government has secretly procured a black-market order at the State High Court to completely annul the right to protest in the state. This order which violates the inalienable fundamental rights will be ignored and legally challenged.
Therefore, the July 24 judgement should renew the confidence of not only the victorious activists but also the working people and youth in general in the struggle against Tinubu’s anti-poor capitalist policies and attacks on democratic rights. The fact that this judicial victory is coming a few days to the first anniversary of the #EndBadGovernance protest makes it all the more important.