Court awards damages against police for violating protesters’ rights during EndSARS

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 violating the fundamental rights of several peaceful protesters.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Judge M. Kakaki emphasized that while 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 found that the applicants, who took part in a peaceful protest on October 20, 2024, marking the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS memorial procession, were unjustly harassed and had their rights infringed upon.

Judge Kakaki affirmed the applicants’ constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The suit’s applicants 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.

Additionally, three organisations, Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), are named as applicants in the case.

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