The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has awarded N10 million in damages against the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for violation of the fundamental rights of several peaceful protesters.
The suit was filed by applicants who participated during the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS peaceful memorial procession.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice M. Kakaki held that the applicants were unjustly harassed and their rights infringed upon.
The suit was filed against the police by Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, and Miss Osugba Blessing.
Others were Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman.
Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) were also part of the suit.
According to the court, the police have constitutional powers to enforce laws but such powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law.
The judge affirmed that the applicants were entitled to the constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as contained in the Nigerian Constitution.
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