Odita Sunday 
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have filed a notice of appeal challenging the February 20, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which ruled in favour of activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore.
The appeal, lodged at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on behalf of NPF was filed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Inspector-General of Police is seeking to overturn the entire decision delivered by Justice Musa Kakaki in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2269/25.
The appellants are asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment in its entirety and grant any further orders it deems appropriate.
In the earlier ruling, the Federal High Court held that police actions taken against Sowore, including advising him to stay away from Lagos ahead of a planned protest and declaring him wanted violated his constitutional rights.
The trial court held that the warning restricting Sowore’s movement breached his right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It also held that declaring him wanted violated his right to dignity of the human person under Section 34 of the Constitution.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the police authorities have now taken the matter to the appellate court.
In their notice of appeal, the appellants argue that the trial judge erred in law by holding that the police warning to Sowore amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
On the issue of freedom of movement, the police contend that the right is not absolute and may be lawfully restricted under certain circumstances. They argue that their directive was not a blanket restriction but was tied specifically to a planned protest scheduled for October 27, 2025.
According to the appeal documents, the protest as well as subsequent demonstrations on November 3, 2025 disrupted movement on public highways and streets, including around Oworonshoki and the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The appellants maintain that ensuring public safety and protecting lives and property fall squarely within their statutory responsibilities.
The police also challenged the trial court’s finding that declaring Sowore wanted violated his right to dignity. They argue that the declaration was connected to protests which allegedly led to a breakdown of law and order and affected other residents of the state.
Furthermore, the appellants faulted the lower court for allegedly failing to attach probative value to two key exhibits tendered during trial, an intelligence report concerning the planned November 3 protest and an incident report documenting events at Oworonshoki section of the Third Mainland Bridge.
They contend that intelligence reports can validly form the basis for proactive law enforcement actions.
The appellants are seeking an order setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on February 20, 2026. They are also asking the Court of Appeal to grant any additional orders deemed appropriate in the circumstances.
The appeal is being handled by Lawlinks Legal Practitioners, led by senior advocates Shuaib Mustapher SAN and Audu Augustine Enenche SAN while Sowore is represented by Tope Temokun and Marshal.
No date has however been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.
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