Legal Fireworks! Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu Sued Over Controversial X Block

Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun has initiated a lawsuit against the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The core of the legal action revolves around the governor's alleged violation of Ogun's fundamental rights by blocking him on the microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Ogun asserts that this action, which occurred in 2021, was a direct consequence of his criticisms and demands for accountability concerning the October 2020 #EndSARS killings, which took place under Sanwo-Olu's watch.

Festus Ogun contends that being blocked by a democratically elected public official on a platform used in an official capacity is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a gross infringement upon his fundamental rights. Specifically, he argues it violates his right to freedom of expression and his freedom from discrimination based on political opinion. The lawyer highlighted that this blocking has deprived him of crucial access to public updates and vital information regarding governance in Lagos, thereby impeding his ability to engage with public discourse and hold officials accountable.

In the comprehensive suit, Ogun has asked the court for several declarations and orders. He seeks a declaration that Governor Sanwo-Olu's action of blocking him on X is wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory. Furthermore, the suit prays for an order compelling Sanwo-Olu to immediately unblock his X account. A significant demand is also for the governor to issue a public apology on his official X handle for the