Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Festus Ogun, has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for blocking him on X (formerly Twitter), an action he claims violates his constitutional rights.
Ogun made this known in a post via his verified handle, @mrfestusogun, stating that the governor’s decision to block him for nearly three years infringes on his freedom of expression under the Nigerian Constitution.
“For about three years, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has blocked me on Twitter. August 2025, I will be approaching the court for legal remedies,” Ogun wrote. “As a Lagos resident, I am convinced that my blocking is an attack on my constitutional right to freedom of expression.”
His announcement sparked widespread reactions across social media, with many users debating the legality and implications of government officials blocking citizens online:
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@kinpelG noted that users can still view posts despite being blocked, but cannot interact.
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@toplegalsage referenced a UK court ruling which stated that public office holders cannot restrict citizen access to official communication channels.
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Others, like @Nehem11, questioned whether Sanwo-Olu’s personal handle could legally fall under such scrutiny, differentiating it from an official government account.
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Some users expressed skepticism about Nigerian courts delivering justice in such cases, citing a perceived lack of judicial independence.
Ogun’s planned lawsuit comes amid growing global debates over digital rights, free speech, and the obligations of public officials on social media platforms. Similar cases in the US and UK have resulted in rulings that public officials cannot block constituents from accessing their official social media accounts.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has not yet responded to the development.
