Socialist Workers League (SWL) welcomes the 20 February landmark judgment by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in favour of Omoyele Sowore, National Chairperson of the African Action Congress, against the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moshood Jimoh. In his ruling, Judge Musa Kakaaki said that “no Nigerian can be criminalised for speaking, protesting, or holding government accountable”. He further added that the declaration of Sowore as “wanted” was “a grave abuse of power”, and ordered that the Nigeria Police Force pay Sowore N30million in damages. This judgment is a resounding triumph for every Nigerian who believes in the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, and dares stand up for their right.
Mr Jimoh had declared Omoyele Sowore wanted on 3 November 2025. This was because Sowore was to lead a mass action of the Take It Back (TIB) movement on the Third Mainland Bridge to protest the demolition of working-class people settlements in Oworonshoki. Even before such heinous declaration, the same Mr Jimoh had issued an order that Sowore must stay away from Lagos.
The court’s decision to hold the Commissioner of Police accountable for the unlawful harassment and restriction of Mr. Sowore sends a clear, non-negotiable message: when we dare to struggle, we dare to win; even in the law courts, which primarily serve the ruling class. We have no illusion that the Nigerian state which the court can always be relied upon to be on our side. Its primary role is to defend the interests of the ruling class. Nonetheless, this development shows how far we can push for respect for the rights we have won through struggle in earlier generations, with concrete action on the streets and even within the legal theatre of the ruling class’s courts.
We are not surprised that the NPF which should hold its head in shame has decided to file an appeal challenging the Federal High, claiming that freedom of movement is not absolute. This is exactly how the ruling class acts: they try to take back rights enshrined with one hand in the constitution, with another hand of state repression.
A Win for Fundamental Rights
For too long, the machinery of state security has been used to stifle dissent and intimidate voices calling for systemic change. Fundamental rights we have won through struggle against military dictatorship where Sowore played a central role while many of those in power today were busy pandering to the juntas of Generals Babangida and Abacha are being rolled back.
By standing up to fight, Sowore and the AAC show that we cannot take the fundamental rights in the constitution for granted. We won these through struggle. We must defend them as we march forward towards our total liberation, only with struggle. Protest is a right and the police must be held accountable and the dictatorship of the 1% which they foist on us must be resisted.
Saluting Resilience
We salute Omoyele Sowore for his unwavering resilience. Despite years of legal battles, arbitrary arrests, and systemic intimidation, his commitment to a more just Nigeria has never wavered. This victory serves as a beacon of hope for activists, journalists, and everyday citizens who refuse to be silenced by the threat of force.
A Call to Action
While we celebrate this judgment, we make bold to say it is not yet uhuru. The oppressed and exploited masses in the country must take a cue from the revolutionary struggle of Omoyele Sowore and the African Action Congress to stand up and fight to win our liberation from the class of exploiters who have been ruling the country, and the capitalist system which they represent.
Unite and fight for revolution now!
Sgd.
Kelvin AYEMHENRE
National Chairperson
Sgd
Amara NWOSU
National Secretary
