ABUJA, July 25, 2025 – A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦10 million in damages to two #EndSARS protesters, citing a gross violation of their fundamental human rights during the 2020 demonstrations.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, followed a suit filed by the plaintiffs, Ifeanyi Nwankwo and Idris Mohammed, who were reportedly arrested, assaulted, and unlawfully detained during a peaceful protest in October 2020. The duo claimed that they were subjected to inhumane treatment by security operatives without being charged to court.
In her ruling, Justice Olajuwon condemned the actions of the police, stating that the arrest and continued detention of the protesters infringed upon their constitutional rights to personal liberty, dignity, and peaceful assembly. She described the police’s conduct as “unlawful, oppressive, and a breach of democratic norms.”
The court awarded ₦10 million in general damages to the applicants and issued an order restraining the police from harassing or intimidating them over their participation in the #EndSARS movement.
The #EndSARS protests, which erupted across the country in October 2020, were a youth-led movement demanding an end to police brutality, particularly by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests led to a nationwide reckoning on police reforms and civic rights but also witnessed crackdowns, arrests, and violent suppression in several states.
This court judgment adds to a growing list of legal decisions holding security agencies accountable for abuses during the protests. Human rights groups have welcomed the ruling, calling it a significant step toward justice and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria.
