A new wave of controversy has trailed the scheduled appearance of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, before Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, following last week’s issuance of a bench warrant over his failure to appear in court.
SaharaReporters gathered from sources familiar with the matter that former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has allegedly taken a strong interest in the case, reportedly reaching out to top security officials, including the current Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and senior operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), urging coordinated steps to ensure Sowore is arrested if he shows up in court.
The sources alleged that Egbetokun was angered by what he considered a delay in executing the bench warrant issued by Justice Umar, prompting further contacts with senior officers within the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, whom they described as deeply involved in the prosecution process.
They further alleged that the situation has drawn in the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, whom they accused of nursing a longstanding grievance against Sowore. According to the sources, the alleged hostility dates back to a SaharaReporters publication years ago which accused Gbajabiamila of financial misconduct during his legal practice in Atlanta, United States, an allegation that reportedly resulted in disciplinary action by the Georgia State Bar.
According to the sources, these alleged interests have converged into what they described as a coordinated plan to deploy heavy security presence at the Federal High Court on Monday, amid fears that Justice Umar may not sit, a situation they claim could be exploited to execute the existing bench warrant already issued in the matter.
The sources also alleged that Egbetokun remains unsettled by the collapse of a previous criminal case he initiated against Sowore before leaving office, as well as a separate contempt proceeding at an FCT High Court, which they claimed is being backed by his former associate, ACP Yemisi Bukola Kuti.
They further alleged that the former police chief had advised President Bola Tinubu that the most effective way to neutralise Sowore’s political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general election would be to ensure he is remanded in custody.
A police source was quoted as saying: “The forces are being put together. Tell Sowore to be ready tomorrow.”
Last week, Justice Umar revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after the activist failed to appear in court on June 16, 2026.
Sowore is currently facing cybercrime-related charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over statements he allegedly made describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a criminal.”
The matter had earlier been adjourned to June 15, 2026, for ruling on Sowore’s application seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias. Although Sowore appeared in court on June 15, proceedings were stalled due to the absence of the judge, leading to a further adjournment to June 16.
Ahead of the resumed date, Sowore had written to the court requesting another adjournment, proposing July or September 2026 for the ruling.
At the resumed hearing on June 16, however, the prosecution applied for revocation of his bail and issuance of a bench warrant. Justice Umar granted the request, holding that Sowore’s absence amounted to disobedience of court orders.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS had not responded to the allegations, while the claims remain unverified.