The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has reaffirmed that human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted for allegedly attempting to incite public disturbance in the state.
Jimoh made this known on Monday while receiving a delegation of social activists at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja. He disclosed that despite earlier communication between the command’s legal department and Sowore’s lawyer, the activist had yet to turn himself in.
The commissioner reiterated that there is no statutory time limit for arresting a wanted person, adding that the police are actively tracking Sowore’s movements. “There is no time limit for arresting Sowore. He has been declared wanted, and wherever he is seen within Lagos State, he will be arrested,” Jimoh stated.
He clarified that the command had not received any court order restraining it from arresting Sowore and maintained that the police would comply with any such order if served.
“The police are a respecter of the law. If there’s any court order today, I will comply with it. But for now, none has been served on me,” he said.
READ ALSO: Lagos police commissioner reportedly declare Sowore ‘wanted’ over public disturbance
Addressing concerns over the legality of declaring Sowore wanted without a court order, Jimoh insisted that his actions were fully supported by the Nigerian Constitution. Citing Section 215 (1b), (4), and (5), he explained that as Commissioner of Police, he is empowered to act proactively to maintain public safety and order.
“As I deem fit, I will be proactive in ensuring that anybody who wants to come into Lagos to cause mayhem, destroy property or lives, or threaten the existence of Nigerians living in Lagos is declared wanted. That is the power under the constitution upon which I declared Sowore wanted,” he asserted.
Jimoh also cautioned social activists to be mindful of how their activities affect public safety, warning that any attempt to block major routes such as the Third Mainland Bridge under the guise of protest would not be tolerated. He emphasised that such actions endanger commuters and could compromise national infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, renowned social activist Dr Segun Awosanya (Segalink) expressed support for the police, lamenting that the actions of some self-styled activists had complicated the work of law enforcement officers.
“We have seen how people parade themselves as activists and endanger society. Many of them pursue personal or financial interests rather than patriotism,” Awosanya said. “We must continue to advocate against lawlessness disguised as activism.”
This marks the third time the Lagos police chief has declared Sowore wanted, following his alleged plan to lead a protest on the Third Mainland Bridge in opposition to demolition exercises carried out by the state government in Oworonshoki.
Sowore has, however, dismissed the declaration as unlawful, arguing that no police commissioner has the constitutional authority to declare a citizen wanted without a court order. He claimed that the move was a retaliatory act after police officers reportedly failed to carry out a “shoot-at-sight” order during a previous protest — an allegation Commissioner Jimoh strongly denied.
