‘Punishable Offence!’ Sowore Faces Cybercrime Charge for Calling Police IGP ‘Illegal’

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed cybercrime charges against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore for labelling him an ‘Illegal IG’.

The Inspector General of Police filed 17 charges against the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement.

This is contrary to the initial allegations contained in an invitation letter sent to Sowore last week, claiming that the police were “investigating case of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful order, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless & negligent acts, refusal to assist public servant and cyberstalking in which your name featured, prominently”.

Sowore was detained at the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, on Monday, following his refusal to accept the bail conditions imposed by the police authorities on Monday.

On Monday, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) honoured the police invitation over a viral video he recorded, highlighting extortion by police officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos

However, from obtained the charges filed against Sowore on Tuesday, which are related to cybercrime and focus on the nickname ‘Illegal IG’ that Sowore used to refer to the police chief, Egbetokun.

Count one reads:

“That you OMOLEYE SOWORE that 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 cause a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him “…illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun” which you know to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and you caused the message to be sent and thereby 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 reads:

“That you OMOLEYE SOWORE that on the 13th day of December, 2024 Within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly cause the transmission of messages through your verified X handle account “Omoyele Sowore” links and cause a publication against the Inspector General of Police where you called him “…illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun” which you know to be false and tagged the verified Nigeria Police Force X handle @policeNG, containing threats to insight the Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and harm it property or reputation of the Inspector General of Police or the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed an offence and punishable under section 24(2)(c) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act, 2015 As Amended 2024.”

Count three reads:

 

“That you OMOLEYE SOWORE that on the 20th 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 “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” which you know to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and you caused the message to be sent and thereby committed an offence contrary to section.”

Reacting to the charges, Sowore in a post on his X account, said, “These have to be some of the most ridiculous charges ever filed by Nigerian law enforcement agents. @YeleSowore to face charges for calling @PoliceNG retired and fired IGP Kayode Egbetokun “Illegal IGP.”

“Chai Nigeria which was initially diminished is NOW finished! #RevolutionNow.”