The Lagos State Police Command has insisted that it will arrest political activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged plans to incite a violent protest in Lagos.
This comes despite a subsisting order of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which restrained the police and other security agencies from arresting or harassing him.
Justice Musa Kakaki had, last Wednesday, granted an interim injunction barring the Lagos Commissioner of Police and other respondents from “harassing, intimidating, threatening with arrest or declaring the applicant wanted,” pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The ruling followed Sowore’s application after reports surfaced that the Lagos Command had declared him wanted over undisclosed allegations.
But Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, told reporters after a strategic security meeting at the command headquarters in Ikeja yesterday that the activist’s refusal to honour police invitation justified the move to declare him wanted.
Jimoh said the action was backed by Section 215 (1, 4, and 5) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the Commissioner of Police to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.
He explained that although Sowore’s lawyer had earlier written to the command expressing readiness to bring his client for questioning, the activist failed to appear.
“He never showed up. If you are declared wanted, you are to report to the nearest police station, not call me on the phone,” Jimoh said. “The order to arrest him stands.
Any officer who sights him—whether on the road, in a restaurant, or elsewhere—should arrest him and bring him to the State CID for proper investigation.”
The police boss revealed that operatives recently intercepted a group of about 300 persons allegedly mobilising to cause public disorder on the Third Mainland Bridge under the guise of protest.
He said 13 of them were arrested, while a vehicle loaded with loudspeakers and a generator intended for the protest was impounded.
Dismissing criticisms on social media over his decision, Jimoh described the backlash as “ignorance of the law,” insisting that his actions were lawful and aimed at preventing chaos.
“Anybody not pleased can go to court. As CP, I will continue to act within the powers of the law to protect Lagos residents.
We will not allow enemies of progress to plunge thea state into chaos,” he said.
Jimoh added that he had yet to be served any court order restraining the command from arresting Sowore.
“As I speak, I have not been served any order. The Nigeria Police Force respects the law. Once a court order is served, we will comply immediately,” he assured.
He directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and tactical units to arrest Sowore wherever he is found—except within a courtroom—stressing that no individual or group would be allowed to destabilise Lagos under any guise.