Court Orders Police To Pay N10m For Violating Rights Of #EndSARS Memorial Protesters

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 compensation for the violation of the fundamental rights of peaceful protesters who took part in the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS memorial procession.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice M. Kakaki ruled that the applicants were unjustly harassed and their constitutional rights infringed upon by security operatives during the peaceful assembly.

The suit was filed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Miss Osugba Blessing, and several others who participated in the procession. Other applicants include 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.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) were also parties to the suit.

The court acknowledged that while the police have the constitutional mandate to enforce laws, such powers must be exercised within the boundaries of democratic norms and the rule of law.

Justice Kakaki affirmed that the applicants were fully entitled to their constitutional rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.