Federal High Court Awards N10m Against Police Over EndSARS Memorial Clampdown

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to pay N10 million in damages for the unlawful harassment of peaceful protesters during the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial.

In a judgment delivered by Justice M. Kakaki on Thursday, the court ruled that the police violated the fundamental rights of several individuals who participated in the memorial procession. The judge stated that while the police have the constitutional authority to enforce laws, such powers must be exercised within the bounds of democratic principles and the rule of law.

The suit was filed by a group of citizens and activists including 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.

Organizations including the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) also joined the legal action.

Justice Kakaki affirmed that the applicants were unjustly harassed and declared that their right to peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, had been infringed upon.