NIGERIA: Lagos CP Defends Decision To Declare Sowore Wanted, Says It’s Within His Constitutional Powers

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has justified his decision to declare activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, wanted, insisting that the move was within his constitutional authority to maintain public order in the state.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, Jimoh said he acted lawfully to forestall what he described as a planned “violent protest” aimed at disrupting activities on the Third Mainland Bridge.

“I have the right to declare him wanted. Any person who says I don’t have such a right should go to court,” the police commissioner stated.

Jimoh explained that the police acted after monitoring social media posts allegedly made by Sowore, which, according to him, suggested plans to mobilise protesters to block major routes in Lagos.

He revealed that security operatives took preemptive steps by cordoning off strategic areas and arresting 13 suspects linked to the planned protest.

A vehicle carrying loudspeakers and a generator intended for the demonstration was also seized.

“I don’t just declare (Sowore) wanted. When he posted something on his X handle, and it’s there for people to verify, that he had just taken a bath in Abuja, and the next point is Lagos, to block the Third Mainland Bridge,” he said.

The commissioner maintained that the police action was guided by the need to ensure public safety, protect lives and property, and avert possible chaos.

“I have the right under the Constitution to prevent crime from occurring, to prevent anybody that wants to cause mayhem across the country,” Jimoh added.

He, however, clarified that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, did not issue any directive to declare Sowore wanted, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as “mischievous.”

“The IGP, I say without any doubt, has not given such an order — not to me or to any police institution across the country,” he stated.

The controversy began on November 3 when the police in Lagos declared Sowore wanted for alleged “acts capable of disturbing public peace” and for allegedly planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.

In his reaction, Sowore rejected the police action, describing it as unlawful. He argued that no police officer, including the commissioner, has the legal authority to declare anyone wanted without a court-issued warrant.

He also claimed the declaration was connected to the police’s failed attempt to execute a purported “shoot-at-sight” order during a protest in Oworonshoki.

“I was informed that he (IGP Egbetokun) dispatched police officers to ambush me today. When this attempt failed, they declared me wanted,” Sowore alleged.

However, the Lagos police chief dismissed the claim, stressing that no such order existed and reaffirming that all actions taken were in line with constitutional provisions for maintaining public safety.