A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦10 million as compensation to some #EndSARS protesters who were arrested and harassed during the fourth memorial rally held on October 20, 2024.
Justice Musa Kakaki said the protesters were unjustly treated and that their fundamental human rights were clearly violated.
“The police acted outside their powers and against the Constitution,” the judge said. “Their actions were not in line with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”
The applicants in the case include rights activists like Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, and Osugba Blessing.
They were supported by groups such as the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIBM), and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
The protesters had gathered peacefully at the Lekki Tollgate to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS movement and to demand justice and reforms. But they were arrested and detained in police vans for several hours without any charges before they were later released.
In their lawsuit, the applicants said they were treated like criminals just for expressing themselves peacefully. They described their arrest as “an open abuse of their rights.”
Justice Kakaki agreed, ruling that the police’s actions were unconstitutional. He ordered the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State Task Force chairman, the Lagos State Governor, and the state’s Attorney-General to jointly pay the ₦10 million damages.
Speaking after the court ruling, one of the protesters, Jennifer Rita Obiora, said the judgment gave them a sense of hope.
“This judgment is a bold message to security agencies that Nigerians will not surrender their rights to fear or intimidation,” she said.
Another protester, Hassan Soweto, commented, “We were simply asking for justice and the government responded with oppression. But this judgment proves we were right to stand up.”
Civil society groups also reacted to the judgment online. The Education Rights Campaign posted, “This victory is for all who believe in the right to protest. We will not be silenced.”
The #EndSARS movement first began in 2020, calling for an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The Lekki Tollgate became a symbol of resistance after the alleged shooting of unarmed protesters there on October 20, 2020.
Since then, activists have continued to organise memorial rallies to remember the victims and demand lasting reforms.
