Sowore Appears at Abuja Court on Charges of Police Defamation
Nigerian Human right Activist Omoyele Sowore, arrives at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, to face charges filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Sowore arrived at the court premises around 8:53 a.m., accompanied by some of his supporters.
In August, the activist previously urged Justice Emeka Nwite to dismiss the charges, arguing through his lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, that they were “defective, incompetent, and an abuse of prosecutorial powers” in violation of the Nigeria Police Act and Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He is accused of criminal defamation, forging a police wireless message, and cybercrime.
In the August proceedings, prosecution counsel, Barrister Madaki, informed the court that efforts to serve the second defendant, SaharaReporters, had been unsuccessful.
Although the court earlier granted an order for substituted service, the process of publishing the charges in national dailies had yet to be completed. Madaki, therefore, requested additional time to perfect the service.
Defence counsel Marshal, however, told the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charges.
He stressed that the objection must be determined before any arraignment could take place, describing the case as a “charade” lacking legal merit.
The prosecution acknowledged receipt of the objection but maintained its call for Sowore’s arraignment. After hearing both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025, for arraignment.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Marshal accused the police of wasting public resources, saying, “As usual, the police, the Inspector General, came to court today to waste our time, taxpayers’ money, and to embark on privileges and waste of public resources. Since 1989, they have continued this charade against Mr. Sowore. They filed a three-count amended charge, accusing him of publishing a police wireless report.
“But principally, the police and the IGP are aggrieved because of a protest Sowore and some retired police officers organized to demand better welfare for the police. They also accused him of publications concerning ‘the mistress.’ Three different charges were filed by officers in the IGP’s office. We have informed the court that those charges are incompetent, unlawful, and frivolous.”
Marshal further alleged that the charges were rooted in personal interests rather than public justice.
“The petitioner, Yemisi Kuti, the alleged mistress of the IGP, is his principal staff officer. The Police Act forbids serving or retired officers from using the Force to pursue personal vendettas. Section 174(3) of the Constitution requires that every charge must serve equity and the interest of justice. This charge does not,” he said.
“This is an attempt to shrink the civic space in Nigeria. We insist there is no basis for Sowore to take a plea on such a defective charge. The court must strike it out without further wasting taxpayers’ money.”
He also called for disciplinary measures against police officers involved in filing the charges.
“The Police Regulations and the Police Act prohibit the use of official powers for personal grievances. Any officer who does so must face sanctions. We urge the court to direct the police lawyer, who is also a serving officer, to recommend disciplinary action against the IGP and others involved,” he said.
