By Emiola Osifeso
A Nigerian lawyer, Festus Ogun, has dragged the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, with suit number FHC/L/CS/1739/25, is brought pursuant to Sections 37, 39, 42, 45, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) and Articles 2 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004.
In the originating summons, Ogun asked the court to determine whether the literal and/or teleological construction of the constitutional provisions and the African Charter precludes the Governor of Lagos State from blocking his account on X.
According to the summons, Ogun argues that the Governor’s action has infringed on his right to freedom of expression and access to information. He therefore urged the court to compel Sanwo-Olu to unblock him and tender an apology.
Confirming the development in a post on his X account, the lawyer wrote:
“I have now sued Sanwo-Olu for blocking me on Twitter. I asked the court to compel him to unblock and apologize to me. Truly, I have gone through mental stress and trauma over this matter but I will not ask for damages so I won’t be seen as a golddiger. Just unblock me.”
The case is expected to test the balance between the right of public officials to control their social media interactions and the constitutional rights of citizens to free expression and access to governance information.
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