Lagos Lawyer Sues Governor Sanwo-Olu Over X Block, Citing Rights Violation and Emotional Trauma
Lagos, Nigeria – August 30, 2025 – In a bold challenge to digital censorship by public officials, human rights lawyer Festus Ogun has dragged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Federal High Court for allegedly blocking him on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The lawsuit, filed on August 29, 2025, and marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, accuses the governor of infringing on Ogun’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to public information.
Ogun, a Lagos-based legal practitioner known for his advocacy on human rights issues, claims the block occurred in 2021 as a direct response to his “constructive criticisms” of Sanwo-Olu’s policies and his repeated calls for accountability over the deadly crackdown on #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in October 2020. “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 stated in the suit, which he shared publicly on his Facebook page.
The lawyer argues that Sanwo-Olu’s verified X account serves as an official channel for disseminating government updates, policies, and governance information, making the block a form of unlawful censorship. “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,” the originating summons reads. Ogun further described the action as “wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a gross violation” of his rights under Sections 39 and 42 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and prohibit discrimination based on political opinion.
In his reliefs, Ogun is not seeking financial compensation—despite alleging “emotional trauma and mental distress” from the incident—to avoid being perceived as a “gold digger.” Instead, he has requested:
• A declaration that the block is unlawful.
• An order compelling Sanwo-Olu to immediately unblock him on X.
• A public apology to be published on the governor’s X handle within seven days of judgment.
• A perpetual injunction preventing the governor, his agents, or representatives from blocking Ogun or any other Nigerian citizen on social media platforms used for official purposes.
“This suit is not just about me. I have filed this lawsuit in furtherance of public interest and with the hope that it sets a precedent in our digital rights jurisprudence,” Ogun emphasized, warning against a growing trend of Nigerian authorities using social media blocks, arrests, and surveillance to silence dissenters, critics, journalists, and activists.
To bolster his case, Ogun has urged the court to draw inspiration from a landmark 2019 U.S. federal court decision in Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, where former President Donald Trump was ruled to have violated the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter, as his account functioned as a public forum.
The lawsuit has ignited online buzz, with X users sharing memes and opinions ranging from support for Ogun’s stand against perceived intolerance to skepticism about the case’s merits in Nigeria’s overburdened judicial system. As of now, neither Sanwo-Olu nor his office has issued a public response to the suit.
This development highlights escalating tensions around digital rights in Nigeria, where social media has become a key battleground for civic engagement and government accountability. Legal experts note that while Nigerian courts have not yet established clear precedents on social media blocks by officials, successful outcomes could reshape how public figures interact with citizens online.
The case is assigned to the Federal High Court in Lagos, with a hearing date yet to be scheduled. Updates will follow as proceedings unfold.