Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, is set to appear before Justice Abdullah Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, after being arrested and detained by the police on Monday, January 27.
Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, confirmed to reporters that the police had secured charges to arraign the rights activist for multiple offences related to cyberstalking, obstructing public officers, and disobedience to lawful orders.
The charges, outlined in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, relate to allegations that Sowore used his verified X account to publish false statements about the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In particular, Sowore is accused of calling Egbetokun an “illegal IGP” in posts made in December 2024, which the police claim were intended to disrupt public order.
The charges include three counts, each under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024.
According to the prosecution, Sowore’s messages on social media aimed to provoke hostility and damage the reputation of the police force, particularly by making statements that were deemed to be false and inciting in nature.
One of the charges refers to Sowore’s claim that Egbetokun’s actions could lead to another #EndSARS-style protest.
Sowore’s arrest followed his refusal to accept the bail conditions granted to him by the police, leading to his detention at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Abuja.
His legal team is expected to challenge the charges in court during his upcoming arraignment.
The charges against Sowore come amid growing concerns over the use of social media to challenge government authorities, with critics of the administration viewing the case as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
