The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has sued the former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore for allegedly calling him an “Illegal IG” and will be arraigned before Justice Abdullah Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, speaking to journalists on Tuesday revealed that his client was unjustly given an outrageous bail condition after he honoured the police invitation and was subsequently detained. He added that the police subsequently charged him in court and he will be arraigned on Wednesday, January 29.
“The police have procured charges to arraign Omoyele Sowore before Justice Liman at the Federal High Court tomorrow,” Abubakar said.
The activist was invited to the Force Intelligence Headquarters in Abuja due to allegations of resisting and obstructing public officials, disobeying lawful orders, cyberstalking, and engaging in actions they claim aimed at hindering arrests.
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.
“This statement, which you knew to be false, tagged the verified Nigeria Police Force X handle @policeNG. The publication contained threats intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and harm the property or reputation of the Inspector General of Police or the Nigeria Police Force. By so doing, you committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, as amended (2024).”
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.
“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.”
The charges were filed under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, which was amended in 2024.
