Sanwo-Olu unblocks lawyer on X after peace meeting

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lifted his block on human rights lawyer Festus Ogun on X (formerly Twitter) following a private meeting at the Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.

Ogun, who had previously accused the governor of rights violations, confirmed the development in a post on his Instagram handle on Saturday.

According to the lawyer, Governor Sanwo-Olu personally extended the invitation for a brief dialogue, during which both parties addressed the concerns Ogun had earlier raised.

“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Ogun had dragged Sanwo-Olu to a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.

Ogun urged the court to compel Sanwo-Olu to issue a public apology to him.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared via his Facebook page, Ogun accused the governor of blocking him due to his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” over the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

The lawyer stated that the governor had denied him access to public updates and to receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of his right to receive information without interference.

The lawyer also urged the court to declare the action unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

He prayed the court to compel Sanwo-Olu to unblock him, issue a public apology, and stop targeting critics online.

Ogun, who described himself as “haunted, traumatised and emotionally disturbed,” stressed that the matter went beyond his personal grievance.

The lawyer also invited the court to take guidance from a 2019 ruling in the United States and argued that intolerance to opposing views undermines democracy.