Legal counsel to human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the police of acting outside the law by declaring his client wanted.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the counsel said there is no legal basis in Nigeria’s constitution or statutes that empowers the police to declare any individual wanted without a court order.
“When you are looking for somebody and cannot find him after a criminal complaint, investigation, or charge, and the person is evading arrest, that is when you can seek the order of the court,” he explained.
He described the police action as tortious, defamatory, and unconstitutional, stating that the declaration was arbitrary and demonstrated “total ignorance of the law they claim to be enforcing.”
The lawyer emphasized that due process must be followed before declaring any citizen a fugitive or outlaw, noting that such a declaration must be supported by a valid court order and not driven by personal or political motives.
“A Nigerian citizen has the right to freedom of movement and personal liberty as provided by the Constitution. Declaring Sowore wanted in this manner is a violation of those rights,” he said.
He further disclosed that the case was already before the court, which had restrained the Lagos State Commissioner of Police from enforcing the declaration or carrying out any arrest or intimidation against Sowore.
This comes after the Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order restraining the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, and other security agencies from arresting or declaring Sowore wanted.
Commissioner Jimoh had earlier announced Sowore’s declaration as wanted, alleging that the activist planned to disrupt public peace and obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge through a proposed protest.
“He is wanted for causing a disturbance of public peace and for acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic,” the police chief said.
The police also claimed that the protest was intended to cause hardship for residents and visitors in Lagos State.
