There is no law that empowers police to declare Sowore wanted — Legal Counsel

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Legal counsel to human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has said that there is no law that empowers the police to declare his client wanted, stressing that the police acted outside the law.

The legal counsel revealed this on Thursday while replying to queries in an interview on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by ZINGTIE.

He said that under the law, declaring a person wanted is a legal process that must follow due procedure and be backed by a court decision.

“When you are looking for somebody and cannot find him after a criminal complaint, investigation, or charge, and the person is evading arrest, that is when you can seek the order of the court,” he said.

The counsel added that “when you publish an individual as being wanted without the backing of a court order, you are not only committing a tortious act and defaming that individual, but also acting unconstitutionally. Declaring Sowore wanted in this manner is arbitrary and reflects total ignorance of the law they claim to be enforcing.”

He emphasized citizens’ constitutional rights, saying, “A Nigerian citizen has the right to freedom of movement and personal liberty as provided by the Constitution. Before you can declare a person a fugitive or outlaw, it must not stem from personal malice; it must follow due process backed by a court order.”

The lawyer disclosed that the court has already heard the case and issued an order prohibiting the Commissioner of Police from implementing the declaration’s consequences.

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