Skip to main content

Lawyer drags Sanwo-Olu to court, claims X blocking caused him emotional trauma

A human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has filed a legal action against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos for blocking him on X - the microblogging platform formerly known as Twitter.

Ogun said he noticed that in 2021, Sanwo-Olu blocked him on his official X handle, attributing the decision to his constructive criticisms of the Governor's policies and his demand for accountability regarding the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre that was perpetrated under his watch.

Filing the suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the lawyer claimed that Sanwo-Olu's decision to block him on the social media platform took an emotional and mental toll on him.

He described the Governor's action as “wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary and constitutes a gross violation” of his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination based on political opinion.

ALSO READ: Forgive Fubara as you did Sanwo-Olu - Bode George tells Tinubu in June 12 message

Therefore, the Lagos-based lawyer prayed the court to declare Sanwo-Olu's action as unlawful, considering his position as a democratically elected public official whose official social media handles serve as an important source of information.

The rights activist is seeking a court order compelling the Lagos Governor to issue a public apology to him, to be published on Sanwo-Olu’s verified X account, for the “gross violation” of his rights, as well as the “emotional trauma and mental distress” the action had caused him.

“A DECLARATION that, as a democratically-elected public office holder in Nigeria, the Respondent (@jidesanwoolu)’s blocking of the Applicant (@mrfestusogun), a citizen of Nigeria and resident of Lagos State, on X (formerly “Twitter”) is wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary and constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to freedom of expression,” read the suit posted on X by Ogun.

“A DECLARATION that the Respondent’s blocking of the Applicant on X. owing to the Applicant’s political opinion and criticism of the Respondent, is wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary and constitutes a gross violation of Applicant’s fundamental right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of political opinion.

“AN ORDER mandating/directing the Respondent to immediately unblock the Applicant’s X account (@mrfestusogun).

“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent, his agents, privies or any other person or entity acting through or on his behalf, from further blocking the Applicant on X or any other social media platform wherein the Respondent operates official social media handles.

ALSO READ: 'It’s all over now, all is forgiven' — Tinubu reportedly makes peace with Sanwo-Olu

“A PUBLIC APOLOGY to the Applicant, by the Respondent, published on his X (formerly “Twitter”) handle (@jidesanwoolu) for the gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression and its associated emotional trauma and mental distress; not later than 7 days after judgment.”

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Okpebholo suspends A-G & LG Chair under 3 months over finance dealings

The Edo Government has announced the suspension of Samson Osagie , its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Damian Lawani , chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. Mr Musa Ikhilor , Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced the suspension in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning. ALSO READ: Kano Govt suspend 2 school principals for alleged absenteeism, negligence Ikhilor said the two-state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions”. Okpebholo suspends Edo Attorney-General and LG Service Commission Chairman According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations. The SSG said; It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Os...
Post a Comment
Read more

Family Homes Funds, TETFund & Private Investors Lead National PPP Drive for Renewed Hope Student Housing Projects

The Renewed Hope Student Housing Project is a Public Private Partnership initiative of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR that is set to improve the living standards and revitalize infrastructure across Tertiary Institutions in the country with a plan to deliver 38,400 world class student hostel bed spaces across a total of 24 locations: 12 Universities, 6 Polytechnics & 6 Colleges of Education. The Renewed Hope Student Hostel Project in each of the 24 locations will boast 1,600 bed spaces, 400 ensuite rooms with study table and chairs, 4 reading rooms, common room, cafeteria & restaurants, laundromat, grocery shops, salons, public toilets etc.  Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited is set to deliver on Mr. President’s promise to transform student accommodation nationwide through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Renewed Hope Stude...
Post a Comment
Read more

NYSC Mobilisation & Academic Standards – Raising quality or adding pressure on students?

On September 29, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a reform linking the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). By invoking Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, Tinubu stated that no graduate, whether from a Nigerian or foreign institution, will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of compliance with the NERD policy. In a common man's understanding, the Federal Government has announced that Nigerian students must now submit their final-year projects or thesis before they can be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This policy aims to improve academic standards, ensuring that no student skips essential academic requirements before entering the NYSC scheme . On the surface, this sounds like a laudable idea, but a deeper look reveals a different reality. In many universities, students are allowed to graduate and mobilised for NYSC  ...
Post a Comment
Read more