The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force acted unlawfully by declaring Barrister Emmanuel Chinyere Orji, also known as N.C. Orji, a wanted person. The ruling emphasized that the police lacked any lawful authority or prior court order, exceeding their constitutional powers.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa set aside the police’s declaration and granted the majority of reliefs sought by Orji, though his monetary claims totaling N1 billion were dismissed. The lawsuit, initiated under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules by Orji’s counsel Mr. Edwin Anikwem (SAN) and Mr. Yinka Muyiwa, sought to nullify the police’s publication in outlets including The Nation newspaper and the official police website.

The judgment stressed that the police cannot unilaterally declare a citizen wanted without a competent court’s order. Justice Lewis-Allagoa affirmed that investigative powers must be exercised strictly within the law, citing that the wanted notice violated Orji’s constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement under Sections 34 and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The court ordered the Inspector General of Police to formally retract the publication and issue an apology to Barrister Orji. The ruling underscores that the authority to declare individuals wanted is not absolute and is subject to rigorous judicial oversight.

Orji’s counsel argued that the police acted “precipitously and unlawfully,” causing reputational harm and global dissemination of a false portrayal of Orji as a fugitive. The court agreed, reinforcing the principle that constitutional protections cannot be bypassed by security agencies.