The Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N10 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for violating the rights of #EndSARS protesters during a memorial rally in 2024. Officers from the Lagos State Police Command arrested at least 20 demonstrators at the site, detaining them in a police van for several hours before releasing them without any charges.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Kakaki stated that the police breached the fundamental rights of the protesters who had gathered at the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2024, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations.
The lawsuit, filed as a fundamental rights enforcement action, was initiated by 22 individuals along with three civic organizations: the Education Rights Campaign, the Take It Back Movement, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.
The protesters who filed the suit include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, 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, Duroonike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, and Afeez Suleiman.
The respondents in the case included the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, the Governor of Lagos State, and the Attorney General of Lagos State.
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