The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has issued a significant ruling in favour of activists who participated in the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest, awarding N10 million in damages against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for violating their fundamental human rights. The peaceful procession, held on October 20, 2024, was reportedly disrupted by police operatives who allegedly harassed and intimidated participants.
Justice Musa Kakaki, who presided over the case, delivered the judgment on Thursday, asserting that the actions of the police constituted a breach of the activists’ constitutional rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. He cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal foundation for the ruling.
While acknowledging that the police have constitutional authority to maintain law and order, Justice Kakaki stressed that such powers must be executed with full respect for democratic principles and the rule of law. The judge declared that the state’s actions during the protest were unjustified and unlawful, and amounted to an infringement of the protesters’ civil liberties.
The court concluded that the individuals involved in the procession were unjustly harassed and intimidated while participating in what was clearly a peaceful demonstration. As a result, the judge ordered the IGP to compensate them with a total of N10 million in damages.
The case was brought before the court by 23 individual applicants along with three prominent human rights organisations. The list of individuals included: Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Miss Osugba Blessing, 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.
The three organisations that joined the suit were the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). These groups have long advocated for social justice, civil liberties, and police accountability in Nigeria.
The verdict has been widely hailed as a landmark victory for human rights in Nigeria. Civil society groups have described the judgment as a strong message affirming the right of Nigerians to peacefully protest without fear of harassment or intimidation by state actors. As of now, the IGP has not released any official statement in response to the court’s decision.