Court orders police to pay ₦10m to #EndSARS protesters for rights violations

Summary

• Federal High Court in Lagos awards ₦10 million in damages to peaceful #EndSARS memorial protesters
• Judge rules that police violated constitutional rights during 2024 anniversary procession
• Protesters were arrested and detained without charges despite lawful assembly
• Activists hail ruling as a major step for democratic freedoms and police accountability

Lagos, Nigeria — 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 for the violation of their fundamental human rights during a peaceful procession held on 20 October 2024.

Presiding over the case, Justice Musa Kakaki ruled on Thursday, 24 July 2025, that the actions of the police, who arrested, detained, and harassed several protesters without charge, constituted an infringement of their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

The procession, organised to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2020 #EndSARS movement against police brutality, was attended by human rights activists including Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Uadiale Kingsley, alongside groups such as the Education Rights Campaign, the Take It Back Movement, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.

The court held that while law enforcement agencies have the legal duty to maintain order, such duties must be discharged in accordance with democratic norms and the rule of law. Justice Kakaki’s judgement firmly criticised the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful demonstrators, describing the conduct of the police as unjustified and unlawful.

Reacting to the verdict, civil society organisations and activists welcomed the ruling as a landmark victory for civil liberties and a reaffirmation of the constitutional right to protest.

“This is not just a win for the individuals involved, but for the entire civic space in Nigeria,” said one of the representatives of the Take It Back Movement.

The ruling adds to growing calls for accountability and reform within the Nigerian Police Force, particularly in relation to crowd control, protest management, and respect for fundamental freedoms.