By Abiola Olawale
Mr Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights activist, the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest movement, and publisher of Sahara reporters has been formally arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force(NPF)on several charges related to cybercrime.
The proceedings took place before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
It was gathered that the allegations against Sowore stem from a remark he allegedly made on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, where he purportedly called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force”.
The police slammed a 16-count charge of cybercrime against him. Sowore is being accused by the police of posting the picture Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people can not make progress”.
The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now”.
However, after the charges were read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges bordering alleged cybercrime.
It would be recalled that Sowore, on Monday, January 27, 2025, arrived at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, in response to a summons from the police.
During his time there, he was subjected to a questioning session, during which various allegations were leveled against him.
After several hours, he was granted administrative bail, however, he rejected the bail. He stated that he found the terms attached to the bail unacceptable and chose to remain in custody rather than comply with the conditions laid out by the authorities.
