In a landmark ruling on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos directed the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million as compensation for violating the fundamental rights of a group of peaceful demonstrators.
Justice M. Kakaki, who presided over the case, emphasized that while the Police are constitutionally empowered to enforce the Law, such authority must always align with democratic values and respect for the rule of Law.
The ruling came in response to a suit filed by a number of individuals and organizations who had taken part in a peaceful demonstration on 20 October 2024, marking the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS memorial procession.
The Judge held that the protesters were subjected to undue harassment and that their Constitutional rights had been breached.
Mr. Kakaki stressed that the demonstrators had exercised their Legitimate right to peaceful assembly and association, which is enshrined in Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution. He also addressed the relevance of a previous ruling by the Lagos State High Court, issued on 30 January, which restricted public protests in Lagos to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, and Peace Park, Ketu. According to him, that Judgment could not be applied retroactively to the October 2024 protest.
“The judgement of the Lagos State High Court does not extend to the protest of 20 October 2024,” Mr. Kakaki declared, affirming that the protesters’ arrest by the police violated their fundamental rights. “When a Court finds the fundamental rights of citizens infringed upon, the Court can grant damages even if it was not prayed for,” he added.
The applicants named in the lawsuit 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, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman.
In addition to these individuals, three civil society groups; Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) were also listed as applicants in the case.
