COURT DISMISSES FORMER IGP’S CYBERBULLYING CASE AGAINST SOWORE

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By: Muftau Fatimo

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the cyberbullying charges filed against former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore by former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

According to reports, Sowore, through his lawyer Marshall Abubakar, filed an application seeking the dismissal of the case on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution. The court upheld the application, noting that the police had failed to actively pursue the matter.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution requested a brief adjournment to allow the lead counsel to personally handle the case. However, the defence opposed the request, arguing that the charges should be struck out due to the prolonged delay in prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Musa Liman stated that the police had not taken meaningful steps to advance the case since Sowore’s arraignment in January 2025.

He also pointed out that this delay violated Section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

“The charge FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025 is struck out and accordingly dismissed,” Justice Liman declared, formally ending the case against the activist.

The original charge, dated January 28, 2025, listed the former IGP as the complainant and Sowore as the sole defendant.

The prosecution alleged that Omoyele Sowore used his verified X account to publish messages targeting the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, referring to him as the “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.” Authorities claimed the statements were false and capable of inciting public disorder.

According to the charge, Sowore was accused of intentionally transmitting messages through his verified X handle, “Omoyele Sowore,” on December 13, 2024, which allegedly contained false claims against the police chief and were deemed capable of disrupting public order.

The prosecution also alleged that he posted messages tagging the official Nigeria Police Force X handle, @policeNG, which they claimed were intended to incite Nigerians against the police and damage the reputation of the Inspector-General and the institution.

In another count, Sowore was accused of publishing a message on December 20, 2024, in which he described Egbetokun as the “illegal IG of the Nigeria Police Force” and warned that his actions could trigger another #EndSARS movement. Prosecutors argued that the post was knowingly false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

All the charges were filed under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024.