A N70 million fundamental rights suit filed by activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto against Assistant Inspector-General of Police Jimoh Olohundare, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission has stalled due to the absence of the presiding judge at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The case, which involves alleged police brutality during a protest against demolitions and land grabbing in Lagos, was adjourned to November 25, 2026, for hearing.
Soweto, who coordinated a protest by residents of Makoko and other waterfront communities at the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 28, 2026, is seeking damages over an alleged assault that left him with a lower back injury. He accused AIG Olohundare of participating in his beating and is also seeking an order to retrain the AIG in modern policing methods. The suit was filed in April 2026 and has yet to reach the substantive hearing stage.
The matter, initially scheduled for October 28, could not proceed because Justice F.N. Ogazi was absent. Following consultations with the parties, the court registrar fixed November 25 for the next sitting. At the previous hearing, Soweto's counsel, Lilian Ogbebor, told the court that attempts to serve Olohundare with the originating processes had failed, alleging that the police chief was evading service.
The court subsequently ordered substituted service through the police legal department. Ogbebor stated that the suit aimed to promote accountability within the police and protect citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly. She emphasized that Nigerians have the right to protest and that the suit seeks to curb police brutality.
Megan Chapman of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, who attended the proceedings in solidarity with Soweto, expressed disappointment over the delay. She argued that fundamental rights cases require urgent judicial attention, citing the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, which envisage the speedy determination of such cases.
Chapman noted that despite the rules, the case has yet to reach the substantive hearing stage, over six months after it was filed. She emphasized that swift justice is expected in fundamental rights cases, which are supposed to be heard within two months under the rules.
The court is expected to take up the matter on November 25. The delay has been met with criticism from stakeholders, who argue that it undermines the pursuit of justice and accountability for alleged police brutality.
Key points
- The suit seeks N70 million in damages and an order to retrain AIG Olohundare in modern policing methods.
- The case has stalled due to the absence of the presiding judge, despite being filed in April 2026.
- Stakeholders argue that the delay undermines the pursuit of justice and accountability for alleged police brutality.
