Joseph Opute, a human rights lawyer, has demanded that the Lagos State Police Command pay N10 million in damages, as ordered by the Federal High Court, for the violation of #EndSARS memorial protesters' rights.
Obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the letter, dated 3 March, is addressed to Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh.
In the letter, Mr. Opute represents Hassan Taiwo, known as Soweto, along with 24 other individuals who endured wrongful detention during a peaceful procession commemorating #EndSARS. The attorney asserted that the rights of these individuals were unjustly violated during their detention.
He referenced the court's ruling from 24 July 2025, which held both the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos Police Command accountable for breaching the fundamental rights of the applicants during the #EndSARS memorial protest on 20 October 2024.
The court determined that the police authorities were required to pay the N10 million in general damages, both jointly and severally.
As previously reported, the court concluded that while the police do maintain constitutional powers to uphold the law, such powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and respect for the rule of law.
In his latest correspondence, the plaintiffs' attorney demanded immediate payment of the judgment amount and provided account details (Account Name: Opute & Akinwumi Legal, Account number: 0076006110, Bank: Stanbic IBTC Plc) for the transfer.
Mr. Opute's letter also cautioned that if the judgement amount had not been paid two days post receipt of the notice, the firm would advise its clients on the necessary legal actions in light of what they deemed to be a failure to comply with the court order.
At the time of this report, no response had been received from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the demand or the letter.
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