Lagos Police ordered to pay for brutality at EndSARS Memorial, following a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lagos. The court ruled that the Nigeria Police Force violated the constitutional rights of protesters during the fourth memorial of the #EndSARS protests.
Justice Musa Kakaki, who presided over the case, found the police guilty of harassment and unlawful treatment of peaceful protesters. The judge ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million in damages to the victims.
EndSARS Protesters Harassed During Memorial Rally
The court noted that the protesters were simply exercising their right to peaceful assembly when officers of the Lagos Police allegedly brutalised them during the EndSARS memorial held on October 20, 2024.
“The applicants were unjustly harassed. Their rights were clearly infringed upon,” Justice Kakaki stated in his ruling.
Those who brought the case before the court include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, and Miss Osugba Blessing. These individuals were joined by activist groups like the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIBM), and the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).
Judge Blames Police for Acting Outside the Law
While recognising the constitutional role of the police in maintaining public order, the court ruled that this power must not be abused. Justice Kakaki reminded law enforcement agencies that Nigeria remains a democracy, and any act of oppression, especially during peaceful assemblies, is unlawful.
“Law enforcement has a duty to protect rights, not trample on them,” the judge warned.
The court said the actions of the police during the memorial rally amounted to brutality, and therefore deserved punishment to prevent future abuse of power.
Civil Society Groups Back the Ruling
Following the judgment, human rights groups have expressed support for the ruling. They said it sets a clear legal precedent that could help protect protesters in the future. According to them, the ₦10 million fine sends a message that police brutality will not go unchecked.
The EndSARS protests of 2020 had brought national and international attention to the issue of police violence in Nigeria. Since then, several cases have emerged where peaceful protesters were allegedly targeted or detained by security forces.
Lagos Police Ordered to Pay for Brutality at EndSARS Memorial
The judgment that Lagos Police are ordered to pay for brutality at EndSARS Memorial is a major development in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in Nigeria. The court’s decision to award ₦10 million in damages is a firm statement that violations of fundamental rights will not go unpunished.
As the country continues to reflect on the legacy of EndSARS, this ruling is seen by many as a victory for civil rights, a warning to law enforcement agencies, and a small step toward ensuring that such abuses never happen again.
