The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has come under scrutiny for initiating cybercrime charges against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, a move that appears to violate the Nigeria Police Act and Regulations, Chronicles Reporters has learned.
Egbetokun filed legal action against Sowore over social media comments in which the activist referred to him as an “illegal IG.”
During his arraignment before Justice Musa Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Sowore pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges leveled against him.
Following his plea, his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, made an oral application for bail. However, Justice Liman adjourned proceedings until 3 p.m. to rule on both the oral and formal bail applications filed by the defense.
Meanwhile, investigations by Chronicles Reporters reveal that Egbetokun’s decision to prosecute Sowore contravenes Section 367(1) of the Nigeria Police Act and Regulations. This section explicitly states that no police officer is permitted to initiate legal proceedings for personal reasons or in connection with their official duties without prior government approval.
The Act states: “Except with the prior approval of the government, no police officer shall institute any legal proceedings in his own personal interest in connection with matters arising out of his public duties.”
Sources familiar with the law explained that this provision exists to prevent police officers from exploiting their official positions for personal legal battles.
One of the charges against Sowore, as outlined in the revised court documents, states:
“That you, Omoyele Sowore, 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 caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, where you called him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.’ This statement, which you knew to be false, was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. By causing this message to be sent, you 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.”
Another charge reads:
“That you, Omoyele Sowore, intentionally and knowingly caused the transmission of messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, calling him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.’ This statement, which you knew to be false, tagged the verified Nigeria Police Force X handle, @policeNG. The publication contained threats intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and harm the property or reputation of the Inspector General of Police or the Nigeria Police Force. By so doing, you committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended (2024).”
A third charge states:
“That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 20, 2024, intentionally and knowingly sent messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, stating: ‘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.’ This statement, which you knew to be false, was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. By causing this message to be sent, you committed an offence.”
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