Police IG Egbetokun Sues Sowore For Alleged Forgery, Incitement

Police IG Egbetokun Sues Sowore For Alleged Forgery, Incitement

Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has initiated legal proceedings against activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of forgery, defamation, and inciting mutiny.

According to a three-count charge submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, the police alleged that Sowore and his media outlet, Sahara Reporters, conspired to fabricate a police wireless communication.

The document was allegedly forged to appear as though it bore the signature of the IGP’s principal staff officer and was later disseminated with the intent to stir unrest within the police force.

The charge sheet stated that “Sowore and Sahara Reporters allegedly conspired on or around July 30, 2025, to commit forgery, an offence under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.” They are also accused of forging the police message itself, purportedly signed by the IGP’s principal staff officer.

Additionally, on July 31, Sowore allegedly posted the falsified signal and other provocative content on Facebook, aiming to incite police personnel and the public to rebel against the Federal Government, an act punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code.

Sowore, who ran for president in the 2023 elections under the African Action Congress (AAC), appeared in court on Wednesday for his arraignment.

However, proceedings were delayed after Wisdom Madaki, counsel to the IGP, informed the court that Sahara Reporters had not yet been served with the charges.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to September 15 to allow for proper service.

This is not Sowore’s first legal battle with the police. In January, he was arraigned on cybercrime-related charges.

More recently, the court granted an ex parte motion directing six banks to release financial information linked to Sowore, as part of an investigation into alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraud.

Tensions between Sowore and police authorities have escalated in recent months, fueled by his outspoken criticism of the IGP’s tenure extension and concerns over the welfare of retired officers.