Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) of refusing to pay court-awarded damages owed to him, saying the situation has left him financially stranded
During a press interview, Sowore stated that both agencies are liable to pay him ₦30 million in judgment debt but have failed to comply with the court’s ruling.
“They are both culpable and liable for paying me 30 million. And they haven’t paid me. And that is affecting me right now because I’m broke. I need the money.”
He added that the DSS separately owes him over ₦2.5 million from another judgment delivered in 2021 or 2022. According to him, the agency still holds three of his mobile phones and ₦10,000 seized from him in 2019.
“But they are not the only one. The DSS is also owing me over 2.5 million Naira. Judgment debt since 2021 or 2022. They also have in their possession about three of my phones and 10,000 Naira. Since 2019 that they legally took from me.”
Sowore further alleged that the DSS has continued to block his GTBank account since 2019, despite dropping the treason case previously filed against him. He revealed that about $100 remains trapped in the account.
“The DSS also blocked my GTB account since 2019. Even after they dismissed their useless treason case, they are still blocking the account. So I have $100 there that I need very badly.”
The activist said once the money is paid, he intends to channel part of it into activism and charitable causes, including support for residents of Oworonshoki whose homes were allegedly marked for demolition when he was declared wanted.
“So all this money, when it comes, we are going to use it to fight the system. But some of them will go to charity. I will give some of the money to the people of Oworonshoki, whose house was to be demolished when I was declared wanted.”
He also disclosed plans to distribute some of the funds through his scholarship foundation to struggling youths.
“I have a foundation that gives scholarships to people. I’m going to give it away to some of the guys there, the hungry guys that I work with alongside. I’m not mocking them. Some of our guys are genuinely hungry because the country is economically bad.”
Sowore criticized the failure of security agencies to obey court judgments, arguing that enforcing payment of damages would help reduce abuse of power within the system.
“The police is notorious for not paying judgment debts. And I think that if they knew that whenever they abuse people’s rights and they get judgment against them, they’ll have to pay, it will help them curb some of the criminal activities in the police and the recklessness and impunity.”
He maintained that while court rulings in his favour are important, true justice requires enforcement.
“The judiciary must work in our lifetime. But the judiciary is not just to give judgment. It must enforce its judgments.”
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