Court Strikes Out Cybercrime Charges Against Sowore

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out cybercrime charges filed against human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore by the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

NaijaChoice News reports that Justice Musa Liman delivered the ruling on Tuesday after Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, applied for dismissal on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution. The court agreed that the police had allowed the matter to stall since Sowore’s arraignment in January 2025.

Justice Liman observed that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He rejected the police request for a short adjournment to bring in the lead counsel, insisting the case could not drag on indefinitely.

“The charge FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025 is struck out and accordingly dismissed,” the judge declared in open court.

The charges dated January 28, 2025, listed Egbetokun as complainant and Sowore as the lone defendant. They accused him of using his verified X handle to publish statements calling Egbetokun “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun” and warning that his leadership could spark another #EndSARS-style protest.

One count alleged that on December 13, 2024, Sowore knowingly sent messages intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended in 2024. Another referenced a December 20 post tagging the official @policeNG handle and carrying the hashtag #EgbetokunMustGo.

All counts fell under provisions punishable by fines or imprisonment for cyberstalking and publication of false information capable of inciting disorder.

The development has drawn attention in Nigeria’s activist circles, where critics often accuse authorities of weaponising cyber laws against voices demanding police reforms. Sowore remains free to continue his advocacy without this particular case hanging over him.