Lawyer sues Sanwo-Olu for blocking him on X

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

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, Ogun alleged that the governor blocked him in 2021 over his “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” regarding the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

“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 on Facebook while sharing details of the case.

He argued that being blocked has denied him access to vital information, stating, “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.”

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

The suit further requests a perpetual injunction restraining Sanwo-Olu, his agents, or any entity acting on his behalf from blocking Ogun on X or any other social media platform.

Describing himself as “haunted, traumatised and emotionally disturbed,” Ogun said the case is aimed at protecting public interest and setting a precedent for digital rights. He urged the court to draw guidance from the 2019 U.S. District Court decision in Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, where the court held that President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter.

“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 warned.

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