Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja, challenging a Court of Appeal ruling that overturned a N20 billion damages award against the Federal Government.
The case originates from a July 1, 2021, raid by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Igboho’s Ibadan residence, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the destruction of property, including vehicles.
Following the raid, Igboho sued the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) at the Oyo State High Court, citing violations of his fundamental human rights. In September 2021, Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled in his favor, awarding him N20 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages. However, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Muslim Hassan, nullified the judgment, calling the compensation excessive and illegal.
In response, Igboho has now approached the Supreme Court under suit number SC/CV/1436/22, represented by his counsel, Yomi Alliu (SAN). His appeal, dated March 10, 2025, presents 19 grounds, streamlined into 11 key legal arguments.
Among the issues raised, Igboho contends that his case should be treated as a fundamental rights enforcement proceeding rather than a tort dispute. He also challenges the appellate court’s dismissal of his preliminary objections and questions the validity of the respondents’ late filing of court documents.
Additionally, Igboho argues that the government failed to prove the presence of illegal arms in his residence, particularly after the DSS confiscated his CCTV footage. He further maintains that the lower court erred in dismissing his valuation of damages, despite supporting affidavit evidence and expert invoices.
The case lists the AGF, the DSS, and the DSS Director in Oyo State as respondents. The Supreme Court’s decision on the matter is expected to set a significant precedent regarding government actions and individual rights.
