Lawyer Files N1bn Suit Against IG For Declaring Him Wanted

A Lagos-based lawyer, Emmanuel Chinyere Orji, has dragged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for declaring him wanted without a court order.

Orji alleged that the police violated his fundamental rights when his name and photograph were published in The Nation newspaper on August 20, 2025, as well as in the special police gazette bulletin and on the official police website, branding him a wanted person.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier declared Orji wanted, accusing him of alleged fraud, obtaining money under false pretence, conversion of funds, and forgery.

The gazette bulletin described him as a 51-year-old native of Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, and urged members of the public to assist in locating him.

In the suit filed by his legal team, led by Edwin Anikwem, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the lawyer asked the court to declare the publication unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void.

He argued that the police acted without first securing an order of a competent court, which he said amounted to a breach of his rights to personal liberty, private life, freedom of movement, and dignity as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 37, 41(1) and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

Orji is also seeking a court declaration that the IGP has no statutory power to declare anyone wanted without judicial approval.

He wants an order quashing the publication as well as an injunction restraining the police from further infringing on his rights and a directive compelling the IGP to issue a public apology.

Specifically, the applicant is asking for N500m in exemplary damages and another N500m in general damages for what he described as a “flagrant violation” of his rights.

In a supporting affidavit, Stephen Adekpe, a litigation officer in Anikwem’s chambers, stated that Orji, a lawyer of over 20 years’ standing, is currently abroad receiving treatment for a spinal cord problem.

He said the police declaration has portrayed him as a fugitive and exposed him to unlawful arrest.

“The respondent has not followed due process in declaring persons wanted. If the court does not restrain the police, the unlawful publication will continue,” Adekpe said.

The affidavit stressed that Orji has never been tried or convicted for any offence, nor has he ever jumped bail, making the police action an unconstitutional abuse of power.