Lagos State’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reversed the unblocking of a Human Rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X (formerly Twitter), who dragged him to court for the action.
The development follows a meeting yesterday, at Lagos House, Marina, between Ogun and the Governor.
Sanwo-Olu reportedly explained that the blocking was carried out by an aide without his direct instruction.
He described the action as not personal, directed that the block be lifted, and offered an apology to Ogun.
Ogun, who filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos less than two weeks ago, had accused Sanwo-Olu of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on the governor’s official X account.
He alleged that the blocking stemmed from his “constructive criticisms” of the government, particularly demands for accountability in relation to the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
In the court case (FHC/L/CS/1739/25), Ogun sought declarations that the blocking was “wrongful, unconstitutional, arbitrary and discriminatory,” and asked for an order requiring the governor to unblock him, apologise publicly, and refrain from similar actions in the future.
Following the meeting, Ogun confirmed that his X account had been unblocked.
Ogun thanked his legal team, especially Desmond Tobe Oris, and said he had taken the case pro bono.
He also stated that, now that the principal grievance has been addressed, he would withdraw the lawsuit against the governor’s office.
In addition, Ogun revealed that his next legal action will be against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for what he claims is wrongful blocking of Nigerians on its social media platforms.
