IGP sues Sowore, accuses him of forging police internal memo

Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, has sued Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher, accusing him of forgery, defamation, and incitement to mutiny.

In a three-count charge filed at the federal high court in Abuja, the police alleged that Sowore and Sahara Reporters conspired to forge a police wireless message purporting to bear the signature of the principal staff officer to the IGP, and later circulated the document to provoke disaffection within the force.

“That you Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters on or about the July 30 2025 within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire between yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” the charge sheet reads.

“That you Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters on or about the July 30, within the jurisdiction of this court, forged a police wireless message purported to have been signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“That you Omoyele Sowore on or about July 31 within the jurisdiction of this court, did intentionally post a fake police signal and other inciting materials on your Facebook page with the intention to incite members of the force and the general public to embark on a mutiny against the Federal Government and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Law.”

Sowore, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), was present in court for his scheduled arraignment on Wednesday in Abuja.

During proceedings, however, Wisdom Madaki, counsel to the IGP, told the court that Sahara Reporters, listed as the second defendant, had not yet been served with the charge through substituted means. He therefore asked for a new date to complete service before arraignment.

Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, adjourned the matter to September 15 for arraignment.

In January, the police arraigned Sowore over allegations of cybercrime.

On Tuesday, the court ordered six banks to provide IGP with information pertaining to the accounts connected to Sowore following an ex parte application.

The IGP told the court that Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities”.

Sowore has been at loggerheads with police authorities in recent months, following his criticism of the tenure extension of the IGP, and the poor welfare of retired police officers.