Rights activist drags Lagos gov, Sanwo-Olu, to court for blocking him on X

Human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has taken Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

In a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, Ogun alleged that the governor’s action — which dates back to 2021 — stemmed from his “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” over the October 2020 #EndSARS protests. He disclosed the lawsuit on Friday in a post shared via his Facebook page.

“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre,” Ogun wrote.

The lawyer said the governor’s decision has denied him access to important information.“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.

Ogun is asking the court to rule that Sanwo-Olu’s action is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory. He is also seeking an order compelling the governor to unblock him, tender a public apology, and refrain from targeting critics online.

“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,” the suit read.

Describing himself as “haunted, traumatised and emotionally disturbed,” Ogun stressed that the case goes beyond personal grievance.

“This suit is not just about me. I have filed this lawsuit in furtherance of public interest and with the hope that it sets a precedent in our digital rights jurisprudence,” he said.

Ogun also cited a 2019 ruling in the United States to back his case.“I invited the Nigerian court to be persuaded by the decision of the US District Court in Knight First Amendment Institute v Trump where President Trump was found to be in violation of the 1st Amendment when he blocked US citizens for criticising him on Twitter,” he stated.

Warning that intolerance of criticism erodes democracy, Ogun said:“Intolerance to criticism and accountability is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Nigerian authorities continue to crack down on dissents, critics, journalists, bloggers and vocal citizens on social media using arrests, detention, surveillance, collusion with big techs and outright blocking, as weapons. That narrative must stop,” he cautioned.