By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights advocate, Festus Ogun, has filed a lawsuit against the Governor of Lagos State for allegedly violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on X (formerly Twitter).
Ogun, represented by his law firm, Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL) posted a copy of the originating summons on his official X handle on Friday, detailing the reason and cause of action for the lawsuit.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, was filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, and brought pursuant to Sections 37, 39, 42, 45, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009.
Ogun argues that blocking him on the social media platform infringes on his rights to freedom of expression, association, and access to information, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004.
In the originating summons, Ogun seeks the court’s interpretation of whether the governor’s action contravenes constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations.
The Governor of Lagos State has been served and is expected to respond within thirty days.
This is not the first time Festus Ogun has been challenging Infringement of human rights. He once took Dapo Abiodun, Ogun state governor to court over ENDSARS protest where he alleged that the governor failed to protect citizens and trampled upon their fundamental human rights.
