By John Dike, Osogbo
A Federal High Court in Osogbo on Monday awarded N100 million damages against the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Police Service Commission (PSC) for unlawful actions aimed at obstructing the February 22, 2025 local government elections in Osun State.
Delivering judgment in Suit FHC/OS/CS/41/2025, Hon Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi ruled that the sealing of the offices of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and the arrest of its staff in the lead-up to the election were unlawful.
The judge noted that the police failed to provide any legal basis for its actions.
Evidence presented in court confirmed that the local government elections were conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and other enabling laws, leaving the Police without justification to interfere in the process.
The suit, filed by OSSIEC and its Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye, sought a declaration that the police’s actions—including threats to arrest the OSSIEC Chairman and the eventual detention of ad-hoc staff—were illegal and violated fundamental rights.
The claimants cited infringements of their rights to liberty, private life, dignity, and ownership of property as enshrined under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The plaintiffs also argued that the Police acted partisanly, and that their conduct constituted an affront to the judiciary, urging the court to impose aggravated damages of N2 billion and restrain the IGP and his agents from further interfering with OSSIEC’s lawful duties.
The Police, through an affidavit deposed by Inspector Ogunmokun Abiodun, admitted to the office sealing and arrests, describing the actions as preemptive measures to prevent the commission of crime. Inspector Abiodun maintained that the operation was based on credible suspicion of potential violations of electoral and other laws, urging the court to dismiss the suit as frivolous.
He also rejected claims of partisanship, emphasizing that the Police acted within constitutional and statutory powers.
In reaction, OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye praised the judiciary, asserting that justice had been served.
He also commended the legal team led by Maruf Adediran Esq., stating that history has already recorded the illegal interference of the Police in grassroots democracy in Osun State, and that this record will serve as a lesson for generations to come.
