Yoruba Nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has taken his legal battle to the Supreme Court in Abuja, seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the N20 billion damages awarded to him against the Federal Government.
The case originated from a raid conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Igboho’s Ibadan residence in the early hours of July 1, 2021. The operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals and significant destruction of property, including vehicles and valuables.
Following the raid, Igboho sued the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) at the Oyo State High Court, claiming violations of his fundamental human rights. In September 2021, Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled in his favor, awarding him N20 billion in damages. However, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision, declaring the award excessive and illegal.
In response, Igboho filed an appeal (SC/CV/1436/22) at the Supreme Court on March 10, 2025, through his counsel, Yomi Alliu (SAN). The appeal, consisting of 19 grounds condensed into 11 key legal issues, names the Attorney-General of the Federation, DSS, and the DSS Director in Oyo State as defendants.
Key arguments in Igboho’s Supreme Court appeal include:
Clarification on whether his case should be treated as a fundamental rights enforcement proceeding rather than a tort issue.
The validity of the respondents’ late filing of legal briefs and whether his actions waived this delay.
The legitimacy of the lower court’s decision to accept an extension for filing additional records.
The government’s burden of proof regarding the alleged presence of illegal arms at his residence, especially after DSS seized CCTV footage.
Whether the lower court fairly assessed the aggravated and exemplary damages awarded.
Igboho maintains that the original ruling was justified based on unchallenged affidavit evidence and expert valuation reports of damages. The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether his fundamental rights were indeed violated and if the N20 billion compensation should be reinstated.
