Police arraign Sowore today for calling Egbetokun ‘illegal IG’

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has initiated legal action against activist Omoyele Sowore over comments he made on social media, referring to Egbetokun as an “illegal IG.”

Sowore is facing three charges related to Cybercrime under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the charges, filed in a suit marked FCH/ABJ/23/25, Egbetokun accused Sowore of intentionally and knowingly sending messages through his verified Twitter account, where he referred to the IG as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”

The police allege that these publications were false and aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order.

Count one of the charge sheet reads, “That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 13, 2024, did intentionally send messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ calling the Inspector General of Police ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,’ knowing it to be false and intending to cause a breakdown of law and order.”

In count two, Sowore is accused of making threats intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and damage the reputation or property of the IG or the force.

Count three involves a statement Sowore allegedly made on December 20, 2024, which said: “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 police alleged that Sowore’s messages were aimed at causing unrest and undermining the authority of the police.

Sowore is set to appear before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Wednesday).

His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, confirmed that the charges will be heard in court.

Deji Adeyanju, a political activist, stated that the charges represent an abuse of the legal process, promising a strong response in court.

Sowore was arrested on Monday after refusing to accept bail conditions set by the police following allegations of obstructing public officers and cyberstalking.

The charges have been brought in the context of ongoing tension between Sowore and the Nigerian authorities, particularly after a viral video he posted in December that alleged police extortion at a checkpoint in Lagos.

Sowore’s refusal to meet bail conditions, which included providing a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor and surrendering his passport, led to his detention at the IRT detention facility in Abuja.