Police procure controversial Abuja judge, charge Yele Sowore for calling Egbetokun illegal inspector-general
The police are gearing to arraign activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore before Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday for allegedly calling Kayode Egbetokun an illegal inspector-general, Peoples Gazette has learnt.
Sources told The Gazette that the police initially prepared to transfer Mr Sowore to Lagos but changed at the last minute after learning that protesters were massively gathering in the state over the matter.
The police accused the activist of writing “a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun’ which you know to be false,” per the charge sheet dated January 28 and seen by The Gazette.
Mr Sowore was accused of violating the Cybercrime Act 2015 as Amended 2024 over his posts against Mr Egbetokun, which the police claimed could “cause a breakdown of the law and order.”
“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,” the police wrote in the charge sheet dated January 28.
Mr Sowore was detained on Monday after he honoured a police invitation to answer questions regarding footage he posted on social media alleging police extortion.
He was asked to submit his international passport and provide a civil servant on grade level 17 as surety, but Mr Sowore rejected the bail, insisting that he had done nothing wrong. He said he would never accept any condition that would compromise his innocence and integrity.
Ahead of his arraignment on Wednesday, Mr Sowore was in high spirits, saying he had enough time to fight tyranny.
“I have bountiful energy to waste fighting against oppression and tyranny,” the activist told The Gazette Tuesday evening.
The matter has been roundly condemned as frivolous by Nigerians, the majority of whom have asked the police to focus on pressing issues like kidnappings, armed robbery and other issues of insecurity assailing the nation.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
CBN faces growth-inflation dilemma as MPC meets amid calls to hold or cut rates
Most economists expect the MPC to leave the MPR, the benchmark interest rate, unchanged at 26.5 per cent when it announces its decision on Tuesday.
Diaspora
Canada warns Nigerians, other nationals against immigration scammers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a scam alert on Sunday, warning the public against paying “fees for a chance to be sponsored”.
Rights
40 children, women drown in Jigawa boat crash
A boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized in the Malamawa community, Ringim council area of Jigawa, leaving at least 40 people drowned.
Heading 2
Osun governorship poll gathers momentum amid pre-election violence
Mr Adeniran said political thuggery was still dominant in the state despite efforts of security agents to check criminal activities.
States
Lightning strike kills six people in Adamawa
The police command in Adamawa has confirmed the death of six people following a lightning strike in the Ganye council.
States
Cross River govt exempts women, elderly drivers from vehicle registration, levies
The Cross River government has exempted women in commercial transport and men aged 60 and above from paying vehicle registration and daily operational levies.
