Sowore’s ₦1.2bn Suit Against IGP, AGF Over Arrest Adjourned to March 10, 2026

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a ₦1.2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar announced that the matter would now come up for definite hearing on March 10, 2026, following the absence of all the defendants during the most recent court session.

At the sitting, none of the respondents — including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Attorney General of the Federation — were present in court. There was also no legal representation or official explanation for their failure to appear, despite evidence that they had been duly served with hearing notices.

The total absence of the defendants and their legal teams compelled the presiding judge to adjourn the case. However, Justice Umar emphasized that the new date would be strictly for definite hearing and warned that further delays would not be tolerated.

To prevent future excuses, the court directed that fresh hearing notices must be properly served on all defendants ahead of the next sitting.

During the proceedings, Abubakar Marshall appeared in court as legal counsel to Sowore. The plaintiff himself was present in court, accompanied by a group of supporters.

The lawsuit originated from events that occurred in October 2025, when Sowore was arrested and detained following his involvement in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. The activist subsequently approached the court in 2025, alleging that his arrest and detention amounted to a gross violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights.

According to the suit, Sowore argued that his participation in a peaceful protest did not contravene any existing law or court order. He maintained that his arrest infringed on his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, dignity of the human person, and privacy.

He further contended that his arraignment before a court on October 24, 2025, was carried out unlawfully and in violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The activist anchored his claims on Sections 34, 35, 37, 41, and 46 of the Constitution, which collectively safeguard citizens against unlawful arrest, detention, and degrading treatment.

In his reliefs before the court, Sowore requested a declaration that his arrest and detention were illegal, unconstitutional, and unjustified, stressing that he had not breached any law governing lawful protests in Nigeria.

He also asked the court to compel the first to third defendants to pay him ₦200 million as general damages for the alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

In addition, Sowore sought an award of ₦1 billion as punitive and exemplary damages, arguing that his arrest, detention, and arraignment were carried out in a manner that was illegal, oppressive, and unconstitutional.

Beyond monetary compensation, the activist prayed the court to order the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the FCT Commissioner of Police to issue a public apology. He requested that the apology be published in at least three national newspapers.

Furthermore, Sowore urged the court to direct the Attorney General of the Federation to commence disciplinary proceedings against the IGP and the FCT Police Commissioner. He cited provisions of the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act as the legal basis for such action.

The case is now expected to proceed on March 10, 2026, when the court will conduct a definite hearing on the enforcement of Sowore’s fundamental rights.