Gov Sanwo-Olu faces legal action for blocking critic on X app

Human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has instituted legal action against Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, alleging a violation of his fundamental rights after being blocked on the governor’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

In the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, Ogun is seeking a declaration that the governor’s action was unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory. He further requested the court to compel Sanwo-Olu to issue a public apology, unblock him, and refrain from targeting critics on social media platforms.

The lawyer disclosed via his Facebook page on Friday that he was blocked in 2021 following what he described as his “constructive criticisms” of the governor’s policies and calls for accountability regarding the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.

Ogun contended that being blocked had deprived him of access to official updates and public information on governance in Lagos State, thereby infringing on his right to receive information without interference.

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He also argued that the case had implications beyond his personal grievance, insisting it was in furtherance of the public interest and intended to strengthen Nigeria’s digital rights jurisprudence.

Citing the 2019 United States ruling in Knight First Amendment Institute v Trump, where a court held that former President Donald Trump violated constitutional rights by blocking critics on Twitter, Ogun urged the Nigerian judiciary to be guided by similar reasoning.

“The continued intolerance of criticism and dissent is unconstitutional and undermines democracy,” Ogun said, accusing Nigerian authorities of using social media restrictions, surveillance, arrests, and intimidation to stifle opposition voices.

The matter is expected to test the boundaries of digital rights and freedom of expression in Nigeria.

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