Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X Over #EndSARS Criticism

Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun has sued Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which Ogun shared on Facebook Friday, he claimed the governor blocked him in 2021 in retaliation for his “constructive criticisms” and calls for accountability over the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre,” Ogun wrote.

He argued that being blocked has denied him access to crucial government information. “Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he stated.

The lawyer is seeking a court declaration that Sanwo-Olu’s action is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory. He also wants the governor compelled to unblock him, issue a public apology, and stop targeting critics online. The suit further asks for a perpetual injunction restraining Sanwo-Olu or his agents from blocking Ogun or other citizens on X or any social media platform.

Ogun, who described himself as “haunted, traumatised and emotionally disturbed,” stressed that the case serves a broader public interest. “This suit is not just about me. I have filed this lawsuit in furtherance of public interest and with the hope that it sets a precedent in our digital rights jurisprudence,” he said.

He urged the court to take guidance from the 2019 US District Court ruling in Knight First Amendment Institute v Trump, where President Donald Trump was found to have violated the First Amendment by blocking citizens on Twitter.

Ogun warned that intolerance to opposing views threatens democracy. “Intolerance to criticism and accountability is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Nigerian authorities continue to crack down on dissents, 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,” he said.