Court orders police to pay #EndSARS protesters ₦10m for rights violation
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million in damages to a group of #EndSARS protesters over the violation of their fundamental rights.
Delivering judgment, Justice Musa Kakaki ruled that the protesters were unlawfully harassed and had their constitutional rights breached while taking part in the fourth #EndSARS memorial rally held on October 20, 2024.
The judge emphasized that although law enforcement agencies are constitutionally empowered to maintain law and order, such powers must be exercised in line with democratic principles and the rule of law.
READ ALSO: #EndSARS Memorial: Police in Lagos disperse crowd, arrest demonstrators
The applicants in the suit include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi and Miss Osugba Blessing, among others. They were supported by civil society organisations, including the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIBM) and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
Justice Kakaki’s ruling reinforces the obligation of security agencies to respect citizens’ rights, even during public demonstrations and memorial activities.
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