Sowore remains wanted, says Lagos CP
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has once again reiterated that human rights activist and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted for attempting to cause public disturbance in the state.
Jimoh disclosed this on Monday while receiving some social activists on a courtesy visit at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The CP noted that following his first declaration, a lawyer reached out to him demanding to know where Sowore should submit himself, and he directed the legal department of the command to liaise with the lawyer, but Sowore has yet to show up.
Jimoh stressed that while there is no timeframe for arresting a wanted person, the command has been on Sowore’s trail and will arrest him soon.
He explained that he had not been served any court order restraining him from arresting Sowore, adding that he had directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state to arrest him anywhere he is seen, except in a courtroom.
Jimoh said, “There is no time limit for arresting Sowore. He has been declared wanted, and wherever he is seen within Lagos State, he will be arrested.
“I am not aware of any court order, nor have I been served any court order that restrains me from arresting Sowore. The police are a respecter of the law. If there’s any court order today, I will equally comply with the court order.”
Speaking on the constitutionality of the declaration, Jimoh noted that he has the constitutional backing to declare Sowore wanted without a court order as part of his duty to maintain law and order in the state.
“Section 215 (1b), (4), and (5) of the Nigerian Constitution gave the Commissioner of Police, who is myself as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the right to ensure law and order, protection of lives and property, and public safety and security as I deem fit.
“If that is the provision of the constitution, I think it is neither ambiguous nor controversial. As I deem fit, I will be proactive in ensuring that anybody who wants to come into Lagos to cause mayhem, destroy property or lives, or threaten the existence of Nigerians living in Lagos is declared wanted. That is the power under the constitution upon which I declared Sowore wanted,” Jimoh added.
