Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken legal action against activist Omoyele Sowore over comments made on social media, where Sowore referred to him as an “illegal IG.”
The activist is facing three charges under Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015, which was amended in 2024.
The charges, documented in suit number FCH/ABJ/23/25, allege that Sowore deliberately used his verified X account to spread falsehoods aimed at disrupting public order.
The first count accuses Sowore of knowingly sending a message on December 13, 2024, through his verified handle, stating, “Illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,” a claim the police argue is false and intended to incite unrest.
In the second charge, he is accused of making statements designed to incite the public against the Nigeria Police Force and tarnish the reputation of both the force and the IGP.
The third count refers to a message posted by Sowore on December 20, 2024, which read, “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 asserted that such statements threaten public peace and seek to undermine law enforcement.
Sowore is expected to appear before Justice Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Wednesday) for the hearing of the charges.
His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, has confirmed their readiness to contest the allegations.
Political activist, Deji Adeyanju, condemned the charges as an abuse of legal proceedings, vowing to challenge them vigorously in court.
Sowore was taken into custody on Monday after rejecting bail conditions set by the police, which required him to provide a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor and surrender his passport.
His arrest follows ongoing tensions with Nigerian authorities, particularly after he posted a viral video in December exposing alleged police extortion at a checkpoint in Lagos.
Currently detained at the IRT facility in Abuja, Sowore remains firm in his stance, while his legal team prepares for a legal battle over the charges.
