Human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out the charges brought against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Sowore, through his counsel Abubakar Marshal, argued that the charges—ranging from alleged criminal defamation to forgery of a police wireless message and cybercrime—were “defective, incompetent, and an abuse of prosecutorial powers,” contrary to the Nigeria Police Act and Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Barr. Madaki explained that efforts to serve the second defendant, SaharaReporters, had failed, even though the court had earlier granted an order for substituted service through newspaper publication. He sought more time to perfect the process.
Marshal, however, informed the court that a preliminary objection had already been filed challenging the competence of the charges, stressing that it must be heard before any arraignment could proceed. He described the charges as a “charade” lacking legal merit and urged the court to dismiss them.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until September 15, 2025, for arraignment.
Speaking to journalists after the sitting, Marshal accused the police of wasting taxpayers’ money on frivolous litigation. He alleged that the case stemmed from Sowore’s participation in a protest by retired police officers demanding better welfare, as well as alleged publications about the Inspector-General’s personal relationships.
“The petitioner, Yemisi Kuti, is a principal staff officer to the IGP,” Marshal said, insisting that the Police Act forbids officers from using their office to pursue personal vendettas. He maintained that the charges violated Section 174(3) of the Constitution, which requires prosecutions to serve the interest of justice and equity.
Marshal further called for disciplinary measures against police officers involved in what he termed “abuse of prosecutorial powers,” urging the court to strike out the case in its entirety.
READ MORE:
Tension at Abuja High Court as Security Agents Clash with Sowore During Yahaya Bello’s Trial
