Lagos Human Rights Lawyer Lawsuit Against Sanwo-Olu for Blocking Him on Twitter
Prominent human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun has announced his intention to take legal action against Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allegedly blocking him on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), a move he describes as unconstitutional and a violation of his right to free expression.
In a post shared on X earlier today, Ogun revealed that the governor has blocked him for nearly three years, effectively limiting his access to the governor’s official communications and public engagements via the platform.
He stated that he would be approaching the court in August 2025 to seek legal remedies.
“For about three years, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has blocked me on Twitter. August 2025, I will be approaching the court for legal remedies,” Ogun wrote. “As a Lagos resident, I am convinced that my blocking is an attack on my constitutional right to freedom of expression.”
The announcement, which has already garnered thousands of views and sparked a lively debate online, underscores a growing concern among legal experts and civil rights advocates about the implications of public officials blocking citizens from accessing their official accounts on social media.
While there has been no official response from Governor Sanwo-Olu or his media team as of the time of reporting, Ogun’s move follows a growing global trend where courts are increasingly being called upon to determine whether public officials can restrict access to their social media pages, especially when used as official channels of communication.
Ogun, known for his outspoken criticism of government actions and for holding public officials accountable through legal means, argues that as a resident of Lagos State, he has a legitimate right to engage with the governor’s public posts, and that blocking him amounts to political censorship.
Legal observers say the case could set an important precedent in Nigeria regarding digital rights, particularly the rights of citizens to access and engage with government figures on platforms where official announcements and statements are regularly made.
If filed, this would be one of the first legal cases in Nigeria directly challenging a sitting governor’s conduct on social media under the lens of constitutional rights.
The lawsuit, expected in August, will likely test the boundaries of freedom of expression in the digital age and raise questions about the responsibilities of public officials in maintaining open and transparent communication with their constituents online.
