Sowore Alleges Fresh Police Move in Cybercrime Case as Court Finally Strikes Out Matter

Activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has raised concerns over what he described as a “bizarre” legal maneuver by senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force following the earlier dismissal of a cybercrime case against him.

Sowore, in a statement on Tuesday, said he returned to court after Justice Musa Liman had struck out the case initially filed against him by former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to him, instead of accepting the ruling, police authorities—allegedly acting through loyalists—filed an ex parte motion seeking to relist the same case for a fresh trial. He specifically mentioned the involvement of ACP Bukola Kuti and Assistant Inspector-General Emmanuel Ade Aina, who heads the Police Legal Directorate.

He described it as “astonishing” that Egbetokun, whom he claimed had been removed from office, still wielded influence within the police hierarchy.

Sowore further alleged that efforts by his legal team, led by Barristers Marshal D.F. Abubakar and Rosemary Hamza, to obtain the certified true copy of the court’s ruling were delayed by court officials, who cited a public holiday.

The activist also expressed frustration over the prolonged seizure of his international passport and documents belonging to his surety, which had been held since January 2025 as part of his bail conditions. He accused Justice Liman of repeatedly refusing to release the documents despite multiple applications.

He added that the case had suffered several adjournments, often attributed to the judge’s official engagements, raising questions about the handling of the matter.

Sowore disclosed that while proceedings appeared stalled, the court registrar informed his team that the judge would not formally sign the ruling striking out the case until the police addressed their motion to relist it in open court.

He said the police later filed another ex parte application to withdraw the earlier motion to relist the case.

According to Sowore, confusion ensued when the matter was not listed for hearing, despite ongoing applications. He noted that during the waiting period, he addressed journalists at the court premises on national issues but was allegedly interrupted by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria identified as Musbau, who attempted to disperse him and members of the press.

He stated that after leaving the court for another engagement at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), his lawyers informed him that Justice Liman had relisted the case, entertained the police application, and subsequently struck it out again after granting the request for withdrawal.

Sowore confirmed that his international passport was eventually released to his legal team and returned to him, bringing an end to what he described as an “unjustified” seizure.

The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations.

OYO NEWS