Igboho Drags AGF, DSS to Supreme Court for Reversal of N20bn Compensation Judgment
Yoruba Nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, has taken his fight to the Supreme Court. He’s challenging a ruling by the Court of Appeal, which overturned a N20 billion damages award he received after a violent raid by the Department of State Services (DSS) on his Ibadan residence in July 2021.
The raid, which occurred in the early hours, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and extensive property damage, including vehicles and other valuable items. In the aftermath, Igboho filed a lawsuit against the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), claiming a violation of his fundamental rights.
Initially, in September 2021, Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled in Igboho’s favor, awarding him N20 billion in damages. However, this ruling was overturned by the Ibadan Division of the Appellate Court in August 2022, with Justice Muslim Hassan declaring the damages excessive.
In a new legal move, Igboho filed a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court in March 2025, challenging the Appellate Court’s decision. Represented by his lawyer, Yomi Alliu SAN, Igboho’s appeal includes 19 grounds, condensed into 11 key issues for determination by the highest court. The case involves multiple defendants, including the AGF, the DSS, and the Director of the DSS in Oyo State.
Igboho’s appeal questions whether his fundamental rights were violated, as the lower court had treated his case as a tort issue rather than a fundamental rights case. Additionally, Igboho raised concerns about the court’s handling of late filings and the failure to support special damages with adequate documentation.
Among his grievances, Igboho argues that the government has failed to prove it found illegal arms in his home during the raid, especially since CCTV footage was seized by the DSS. He also claims that the trial judge’s assessment of damages did not follow proper legal guidelines. With these points in mind, Igboho is seeking to have the Supreme Court review the case and restore the damages originally awarded to him.
