A Lagos-based lawyer, Emmanuel Chinyere Orji, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for allegedly declaring him wanted without a court order.

In the suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, Orji is seeking declarations that the publication of his name and photograph in The Nation newspaper of August 20, 2025, the Special Police Gazette Bulletin, and on the official website of the Nigeria Police Force, branding him as wanted, is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Through his counsel, Edwin Anikwem (SAN), the lawyer is also asking the court to hold that the action violated his fundamental rights to liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement, and protection from inhuman treatment, 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 further urged the court to declare that the IGP has no statutory power to declare a person wanted without first securing an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

The applicant is seeking:

N500 million in exemplary damages and N500 million in general damages for the alleged rights violations;

An order quashing the publications;

A directive compelling the IGP to publish an apology; and

An injunction restraining further violation of his rights.

Orji argued that he has never been tried or convicted for any crime, nor has he ever jumped bail, and therefore could not lawfully be declared wanted by administrative fiat.

In a supporting affidavit, Stephen Adekpe, a litigation officer in the applicant’s counsel’s chambers, stated that Orji, a legal practitioner of over 20 years, is currently outside the country receiving treatment for a spinal cord condition.

Adekpe maintained that branding the lawyer as wanted portrays him as a fugitive, exposing him to possible arrest and reputational damage.

“The respondent has not followed the provisions of the law with regard to declaring persons wanted,” the affidavit read. “If the respondent is not restrained, the unlawful publication will continue.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.