By Ghazali Ibrahim
Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun says Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked him on X (formerly Twitter), following a private meeting at Lagos House, Marina, days after Ogun sued the governor for alleged human rights violation.
Festus, who had accused Sanwo-Olu of infringing on his constitutional right to free expression by blocking him for about three years, disclosed on Saturday that the governor personally invited him for a dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute.
“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun posted on his handle.
The lawyer stressed that while the meeting created room for engagement, it would not diminish his resolve to hold leaders accountable.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has yet to issue a formal statement on the meeting.
Ogun had on August 29, 2025, filed a suit at the Federal High Court challenging the governor’s action, which he described as an unconstitutional restriction of his civic rights.
In his filing, he asked the court to compel Sanwo-Olu to unblock him and issue a public apology.
He explained that although the incident caused him “stress and emotional trauma,” he deliberately refrained from demanding financial compensation, insisting that his only request was simple: “Just unblock me.”
The development appears to have diffused the legal battle, though Ogun maintains that civic watchdog efforts must continue as part of Nigeria’s democratic culture.
