Group Hails N30m Damages Award to Sowore, Demands Police Reforms

The West Africa Youth Protection and Advocacy Network (WAYPAN) has welcomed the Federal High Court judgment that awarded N30 million in damages to activist Omoyele Sowore, while calling for comprehensive police reforms.The court had ruled in favour of Sowore following his arrest and detention by security agencies. WAYPAN described the judgment as a significant milestone in the protection of citizens' rights and a strong message against arbitrary detention.However, the advocacy group emphasised that monetary compensation alone is insufficient without structural changes to prevent similar incidents. They urged the Federal Government to implement far-reaching reforms within the Nigeria Police Force to ensure respect for fundamental human rights.The case has reignited national discourse on police accountability and the treatment of activists and journalists by security agencies, with civil society organisations calling for greater oversight of law enforcement operations.