A ctivist and publisher Omoyele Sowore is facing legal action initiated by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over comments made on social media referring to Egbetokun as an “illegal IG.”
The police have charged Sowore with three counts under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. The case, filed under suit number FCH/ABJ/23/25, accuses Sowore of knowingly disseminating false information with the intent to incite unrest and damage the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore allegedly made a post on December 13, 2024, on his verified social media account, calling the Inspector General of Police “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.” The police claim this statement was intended to disrupt law and order.
A second count alleges that Sowore’s remarks were intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force, while the third count pertains to a post made on December 20, 2024, in which he stated: “The illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun, will make the next #ENDSARS inevitable! He is working tirelessly towards it. Just a matter of time. #EgbetekunMustGo #Revolution.”
The prosecution asserts that these statements were designed to provoke unrest and undermine the authority of law enforcement.
Sowore, who was arrested on Monday, refused to accept police bail conditions, which included providing a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor and surrendering his passport. As a result, he was detained at the IRT detention facility in Abuja. His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, has confirmed that the case will be heard by Justice Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.
Political activist Deji Adeyanju has criticized the charges, calling them an abuse of the legal process and vowing a strong defense in court.
The legal battle stems from ongoing tensions between Sowore and the Nigerian authorities, particularly following a viral video he posted in December, alleging police extortion at a Lagos checkpoint. The case is expected to draw significant public and political attention as it unfolds.
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