The N70 million fundamental rights suit filed by activist, Hassan Taiwo Soweto against Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Jimoh Olohundare , the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission (PSC) has suffered a setback as the absence of the presiding judge stalled proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The case, which borders on alleged police brutality during a protest against demolitions and alleged land grabbing in Lagos, was adjourned to November 25, 2026, for hearing.

Soweto is seeking N70 million in damages over an alleged assault during a protest by residents of Makoko and other waterfront communities at the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 28, 2026.

The activist, who coordinated the protest, accused Moshood of personally participating in his beating, which he alleged left him with a lower back injury. He is also seeking an order compelling the police to retrain the AIG in modern policing methods.

The matter, initially scheduled for Wednesday before Justice F.N. Ogazi, could not proceed because the judge was absent. Following consultations with the parties, the court registrar fixed November 25 for the next sitting.

At the previous hearing, Soweto’s counsel, Lilian Ogbebor, told the court that attempts to serve Moshood with the originating processes had failed, alleging that the police chief was evading service.

The court subsequently ordered substituted service through the police legal department and adjourned the matter to October 28 for a report on compliance.

Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s adjournment, Ogbebor said the suit was intended to promote accountability within the police and protect citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“The crux of it all is that this fundamental rights action is actually out there to curb police brutality on Nigerian citizens, because Nigerians have the right to protest. They have the right to peaceful protest,” she said.

Megan Chapman of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, who attended the proceedings in solidarity with Soweto, expressed disappointment over the delay, arguing that fundamental rights cases required urgent judicial attention.

Chapman said the suit, filed in April 2026, had yet to reach the substantive hearing stage despite the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, which she said envisage speedy determination of such cases.

“This is what happens in many of our fundamental rights cases where we expect swift justice. A fundamental rights case is supposed to be heard within two months under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules. But this case was filed in April 2026, and now it is the end of October 2026, yet the court has not addressed the substance of the matter,” she said.

The court is expected to take up the matter on November 25.