IGP Egbetokun Sues Sowore Over ‘Illegal IG’ Comment
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken legal action against activist Omoyele Sowore over remarks made on social media, where Sowore referred to him as an “illegal IG,” YEPS News has gathered.
Sowore faces three charges under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
According to court documents filed under suit number FCH/ABJ/23/25, Egbetokun accused Sowore of deliberately using his verified Twitter account to label him as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.” The police claim the statements were false and intended to incite public disorder.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 13, 2024, did intentionally send messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ calling the Inspector General of Police ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,’ knowing it to be false and intending to cause a breakdown of law and order.”
Reports obtained by YEPS News indicate that in the second charge, Sowore is accused of making statements meant to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and damage the reputation of the IGP.
The third charge cites a post allegedly made by Sowore on December 20, 2024, which read: “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.”
The police argue that these statements were designed to provoke unrest and challenge the authority of law enforcement.
Sowore is scheduled to appear before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Wednesday). His legal team, led by Marshall Abubakar, has confirmed that the case will be heard in court.
Political activist Deji Adeyanju criticized the charges, describing them as an abuse of the legal process and vowing a strong legal defense.
According to YEPS News sources, Sowore was arrested on Monday after refusing to comply with bail conditions set by the police. He was accused of obstructing public officers and cyberstalking. His refusal to meet bail terms—which required a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor and the surrender of his passport—led to his detention at the IRT facility in Abuja.
This legal battle adds to the ongoing tensions between Sowore and Nigerian authorities, particularly following a viral video he posted in December, in which he alleged police extortion at a Lagos checkpoint.