If this story sounds like something out of satire—maybe even a skit—it’s not. On August 29, 2025, Lagos-based human rights lawyer Festus Ogun filed a lawsuit against Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu in the Federal High Court, Lagos, accusing him of violating his constitutional rights by blocking him on X (formerly Twitter) back in 202

What’s the Real Issue Here?

According to the lawsuit, the block came after Ogun publicly criticized the governor’s handling of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests—criticism he says cost him direct access to official government updates

. He alleges the governor’s act:

Violates Section 37 (freedom of expression), Section 39 (right to information), Section 42 (non-discrimination), and Sections 45 and 46 of the Nigerian Constitution;

Is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory

Caused him emotional distress, trauma, and mental anguish

Ogun is seeking:

An order compelling the governor to unblock him;

A public apology published on Sanwo‑Olu’s verified X handle within seven days of the judgment;

A perpetual injunction preventing the governor from blocking citizens on social media;

National precedent-setting for digital rights jurisprudence

He even referenced a compelling US court ruling (Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, 2019), where the court held that President Trump violated the First Amendment by blocking citizens

Tuzzuper present below five reasons why many Nigerians may find the news of a Lagos lawyer suing Governor Sanwo-Olu for blocking him on X (formerly Twitter) both funny and ironic — even while the case raises genuine legal questions:

1. It Seems Trivial Compared to Nigeria’s Bigger Problems

At a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation, fuel scarcity, insecurity, and power outages, the idea of a lawyer dragging the governor to court over a social media block may appear laughably minor. People may see it as someone “fighting over internet drama” while the nation burns.

2. The Lawyer Might Be Seen as Seeking Attention

To many, the move looks more like a publicity stunt than a serious legal case. Nigerians are often skeptical of those who take loud legal actions on personal grievances — especially involving high-profile figures — and this could be viewed as a clout-chasing moment.

3. The Irony of ‘Freedom of Speech’ on a Private Platform

While the Nigerian Constitution protects free speech, X is a privately owned platform where users can choose whom to engage with. The idea of invoking constitutional rights over being blocked on a personal account may strike many as misplaced — and therefore comical.

4. Nigerians Are Used to Being Ignored by Politicians — Not Blocked

Many Nigerians aren’t even acknowledged by politicians, online or offline. So for someone to complain about being blocked feels like a strange privilege. It’s like saying, “He used to see my tweets… now he doesn’t,” and people may laugh at how petty it sounds.

5. It Reinforces the Stereotype of Over-Litigious Lawyers

Nigerians already joke about how some lawyers will sue for anything. This case feeds that stereotype. Suing a sitting governor over a Twitter block makes the courtroom feel like a stand-up comedy stage — at least to the average observer.