A Lagos-based lawyer has filed a lawsuit against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allegedly violating his fundamental rights after being blocked on the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
The lawyer, whose name is yet to be disclosed in court filings, is seeking judicial intervention, arguing that the governor’s action infringes on his right to freedom of expression and access to public information. He maintained that the governor’s social media handle is an official communication channel used to disseminate government policies and engage with citizens, and therefore, blocking him amounts to discrimination.
In the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, the lawyer is praying the court to declare the blocking unlawful, while also seeking damages for the infringement. He argued that public officials, especially elected leaders, have a responsibility to remain accessible to all citizens and cannot arbitrarily restrict access to public information.
The case has sparked debate among legal practitioners and civil society groups, with some describing the lawsuit as a test of digital rights and governance in Nigeria. Critics insist that blocking citizens on official social media pages undermines transparency and accountability in a democracy.
The matter is yet to be assigned a hearing date, but observers say the outcome could set a precedent for how government officials in Nigeria engage with citizens on social media platforms.
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