Nigerian lawyer sues Sanwo-Olu for blocking him on X

Human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has filed a lawsuit against Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for allegedly violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on X (formerly Twitter).

According to Festus Ogun, the governor blocked him in 2021 after his criticisms and demands for accountability over the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

The lawyer said being blocked has deprived him of access to public updates and vital information on governance in Lagos.

In the suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Ogun asked the court to declare the action unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

He also prayed that the court compel Sanwo-Olu to unblock him, issue a public apology, and refrain from blocking critics on social media.

Ogun referenced a 2019 ruling in the United States where former President Donald Trump was found to have violated citizens’ rights by blocking them on Twitter.

Describing the case as one of public interest, he said:

“Intolerance to criticism and accountability is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Nigerian authorities continue to crack down on critics, journalists, bloggers and vocal citizens on social media using arrests, detention, surveillance, collusion with big techs and outright blocking as weapons. That narrative must stop.”

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