January 29, (THEWILL) – Convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge bordering on cybercrime, brought against him by the Inspector-General of Police.
Sowore was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Musa Suleiman Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
THEWILL reports that the charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, accuse Sowore of knowingly transmitting false publications via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, including referring to the IGP as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.”
The police allege that the posts were deliberate attempts to incite public unrest and undermine the authority of the Nigeria Police Force.
One of the charges read, “That you, OMOYELE SOWORE, on December 13, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, intentionally and knowingly sent messages through your verified X handle, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ referring to the Inspector-General of Police as ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,’ knowing the information to be false, with the intent to cause a breakdown of law and order. You thereby 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.”
Sowore had initially honored a police invitation on January 27 over allegations of cyberstalking, negligence, and intimidation.
After being questioned, he was granted administrative bail, but he rejected the conditions, stating that they infringed on his fundamental rights.
Providing an update on Monday, he revealed that the bail conditions required him to surrender his international passport and present a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor—conditions he refused, opting instead to remain in custody.
Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Marshal Abubakar, moved an oral bail application. However, the police prosecution team, led by Fred Ameh, opposed the request.
“Given the antecedents of the Defendant, the nature of the offences he is standing trial for, I believe he will not willingly stand for trial if granted bail. If released, he may influence witnesses, interfere with investigations, and leverage his connections both locally and internationally,” Ameh argued.
Also opposing the bail, MU Jonathan Esq. and Abdulrashid Isyaku-Sidi Esq., who represented the Inspector-General of Police, submitted that Sowore posed a flight risk and could tamper with evidence.
“While the court has the discretion to grant bail, when there is cogent and compelling evidence that the defendant may abscond or interfere with witnesses, the court should exercise discretion to deny bail. We, therefore, urge the court to refuse the bail application for lacking merit and substance,” they argued.
Meanwhile, Justice Liman has adjourned until Thursday, January 30, to rule on the bail application
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
