- Sowore is expected to be arraigned before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja at on Wednesday
The Nigeria Police have filed a criminal charge against former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore for describing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun as ‘illegal IGP.’
The charge, made available to journalists on Tuesday showed that the charge was filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Egbetokun was expected to have retired from public service having attained statutory retirement age of 60 years in September 2024.
The National Assembly however amended the Nigeria Police Act which was assented by President Bola Tinubu, allowing the IGP to stay in office for up to four years as the nation’s police chief.
In the Charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, dated January 28, 2025, the Inspector General of Police is listed as the complainant, while Sowore is the sole defendant.
Charges brought against Sowore read – “Count One: That you, Omoyele Sowore, on the 13th day of December 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly send messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore’, and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, where you called him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun’.
“This statement, which you knew to be false, was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. By causing this message to be sent, you committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended (2024), and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.
“Count Two: That you, Omoyele Sowore, intentionally and knowingly caused the transmission of messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore’, and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, calling him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The charge continued, “Count Three: That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 20, 2024, intentionally and knowingly sent messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore’, and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, stating: ‘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.
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