The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay N10 million in damages for the violation of the fundamental rights of several peaceful protesters.
Justice M. Kakaki, in the verdict delivered on Thursday, pointed out that although the police have constitutional powers to enforce laws, those powers must be exercised in line with democratic principles and the rule of law.
The judge held that the applicants, who participated in a peaceful protest on 20 October 2024, during the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS peaceful memorial procession, were unjustly harassed and their rights infringed upon.
His Lordship also affirmed that the applicants were entitled to the constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The applicants in the suit include: 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 others are three organisations—Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
The respondents in the suit were the Inspector-General of police, Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Commissioner of police, Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Governor of Lagos State, and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.
The applicants had sought redress for what they described as unlawful arrest and violation of their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
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“Justice served! Federal High Court awards N10m damages against police for violating #ENDSARS protesters’ rights. A win for peaceful assembly and human rights in Nigeria!”