Breaking: Court Awards N10 Million Compensation to #EndSARS Protesters Over Rights Abuse
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police were fined ₦10 million by the Federal High Court in Lagos for violating the fundamental rights of peaceful demonstrators on the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial.
Despite taking part in a peaceful procession that was protected by the constitution, the applicants were unfairly harassed by law enforcement, according to Justice M. Kakaki, who delivered the decision on Thursday.
The lawsuit contested the police actions during the October 2023 memorial and was brought by Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, and a number of other people.
Justice Kakaki ruled that the demonstrators’ rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association under the 1999 Constitution had been violated by the use of force and intimidation against them.
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The court ruled that although the police are empowered by the constitution to enforce the law, they must do so in a way that upholds democratic values and the rule of law.
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 were also named as applicants in the fundamental rights suit.
Co-applicants included three organizations: the Campaign for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), the Take It Back Movement (TIB), and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC).
Judge Kakaki found the IGP and Lagos CP jointly responsible for the “unwarranted crackdown on citizens engaging in peaceful remembrance” and granted the applicants ₦10 million in general damages.
The court warned that the practice of stifling dissent under the pretense of security had to end, while reaffirming the demonstrators’ freedom to peacefully congregate without police intervention.
