Lagos Federal High Court orders ₦10m compensation for EndSARS protesters over rights violations during 2024 memorial rally.
Justice Kakaki condemns police abuse.
In a bold judicial ruling that echoes the persistent cry for accountability and justice in Nigeria,
the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to pay ₦10 million in compensation to a group of #EndSARS protesters for the violation of their constitutional rights.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Musa Kakaki,
who condemned the Nigerian police for their abuse of power during the October 20, 2024 memorial rally held in Lagos.
The rally was organized to commemorate the victims of the 2020 Lekki Tollgate shootings,
a tragic event that sparked a global outcry and birthed the EndSARS movement.
A Resounding Judicial Slam on Police Conduct
Justice Kakaki, in his ruling, declared that the actions of the Nigerian police during the memorial rally were “in clear violation of the constitution.”
He noted that the protesters were unjustly harassed, assaulted,
and detained for exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,
as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The respondents acted beyond the bounds of lawful authority. Peaceful protesters must not be treated as criminals,” Justice Kakaki stated.
This ruling reinforces a growing judicial acknowledgment of the need for restraint and lawful conduct by Nigerian law enforcement,
especially in matters involving public assembly and civil expression.
Who Were the Protesters?
The applicants in the suit include prominent rights activist Hassan Soweto, along with Uadiale Kingsley,
Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, and Miss Osugba Blessing, among others.
They were supported by civil society groups such as:
- Education Rights Campaign (ERC)
- Take It Back Movement (TIB)
- Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)
These individuals and organizations were part of the peaceful procession marking the fourth anniversary of the EndSARS protests when they were allegedly tear-gassed, beaten,
and unlawfully detained by armed police officers.
Inside the Incident: What Really Happened?
According to court documents and witness affidavits, the protesters had gathered peacefully near Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2024,
in remembrance of lives lost during the 2020 EndSARS protest.
Despite being unarmed and nonviolent, they were reportedly attacked by police operatives.
“We were shot at with live ammunition. Many of us were beaten with batons and thrown into Black Maria vans,” said Hassan Soweto, the first applicant and coordinator of the ERC.
The detainees were reportedly taken to Panti Police Station,
where they were held for nearly four hours without charge, in violation of their rights under Nigerian law.
The Legal Argument: Constitution vs Crackdown
Lawyer for the applicants, Barr. Joseph Opute, argued that the police actions were a blatant breach of the 1999 Constitution and a gross abuse of public power.
“The 1st to 3rd respondents used state machinery to suppress civil liberties. This is unacceptable in any democratic society,” Opute submitted.
The respondents (the police authorities) tried to justify their actions by claiming the rally was held outside permitted zones.
However, Justice Kakaki rebuffed this excuse, emphasizing that no Nigerian needs a permit to protest peacefully.
A Small Victory with Large Implications
Although the ₦10 million award may seem modest compared to the physical and emotional trauma suffered,
it marks a significant symbolic victory for civil rights in Nigeria.
Rights groups and activists have welcomed the ruling as a positive step in the long and difficult journey toward police accountability.
“This is not just a legal win it is a message to every young Nigerian that their voice matters,” said Bolanle Adeyemi, a human rights lawyer based in Lagos.
Why This Case Matters for Nigeria’s Democracy
This judgment arrives at a critical time when public trust in law enforcement is severely eroded.
The original EndSARS movement was sparked by years of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and rampant abuse by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Despite promises of reform, multiple reports including from Amnesty International indicate that police brutality remains deeply rooted.
This ruling, therefore, is more than financial compensation; it’s a validation of protest as a democratic right and a call for greater reform in Nigeria’s policing system.
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What Protesters Are Demanding Next
Beyond financial justice, the protesters and their allies are calling for:
- Public apology from the police
- Prosecution of officers involved in human rights abuses
- Clear legal frameworks to protect future protests
- Independent bodies to oversee police misconduct
Final Word from the Courtroom
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the aftermath of the EndSARS movement and the deeper structural issues it exposed,
this ruling stands as a beacon of hope for many Nigerians who feel abandoned by the system.
“This is one win, but we have many more battles ahead,” said Hassan Soweto outside the courthouse.
“We will continue to demand justice until the police are no longer a threat to the people they’re meant to protect.”
What do YOU think?
Should more EndSARS victims receive compensation? Should the government do more to reform the police?
Join the conversation below or tag us @NIGPOST to voice your opinion.
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