By Peter Omopo
29th August 2025
Human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has dragged Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, Ogun alleged that the governor’s action, which has been in place since 2021, stemmed from his “constructive criticisms” and demand for accountability over the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos,” Ogun stated, arguing that the move violated his constitutional right to receive information.
The lawyer is seeking a declaration that Sanwo-Olu’s action is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory. He also prayed the court to compel the governor to unblock him, issue a public apology, and refrain from blocking critics on social media platforms.
Ogun, who described himself as “traumatised and emotionally disturbed,” maintained that the case was filed in the public interest. He urged the court to draw inspiration from a 2019 U.S. District Court ruling which found that former President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter.
“Intolerance to criticism undermines democracy,” Ogun said. “Nigerian authorities must stop using online restrictions, surveillance, and blocking as tools to silence dissent.”
The case is yet to be assigned for hearing.
