Human rights advocate and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s attorney has stated that there is no law that gives the police the authority to designate his client wanted, emphasizing that the police acted illegally.
In response to queries during an interview on “Sunrise Daily,” a Channels Television-monitored program, the legal counsel made this statement on Thursday.
He clarified that declaring someone wanted is a legal operation that needs to be supported by a court order and adhere to due process.
“You can ask the court for an order when you are searching for someone and are unable to locate him following a criminal complaint, investigation, or charge, and the person is avoiding arrest,” he stated.
“When you publish someone as wanted without the support of a court order, you are not only committing a tortious act and defaming that individual, but also acting unconstitutionally,” the attorney continued. Declaring Sowore wanted in this way is arbitrary and shows a complete lack of knowledge about the law they say they are upholding.
“A Nigerian citizen has the right to freedom of movement and personal liberty as provided by the Constitution,” he stated, highlighting citizens’ constitutional rights. A court order and due procedure must be followed before someone can be declared an outlaw or fugitive.
The attorney disclosed that the court has previously heard the case and issued an order prohibiting the Commissioner of Police from implementing the declaration’s consequences.
