Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore appeared in court on Wednesday to face 17 counts of cybercrime charges. The charges stem from his social media posts labeling the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as an 'illegal IGP'. Sowore pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer urged the court for bail on self-recognition. The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the ruling on his bail application to Thursday.
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Mr Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall from Falana & Falana Chambers, urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition being a foremost human rights activist and former presidential candidate.He urged the judge to attach stringent conditions should he be inclined to grant him bail. Also, some Nigerian youths and members of the Mr Sowore-led Take It Back Movement thronged the court in support of the human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress .charged Mr Sowore on Tuesday with 17 counts of cybercrime offences for referring to the Inspector-General of Police , Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal IGP” in a post on his social media platforms.
“These have to be some of the most ridiculous charges ever filed by Nigerian law enforcement agents. Omoyele Sowore to face charges for calling retired and fired IGP Kayode Egbetokun ‘Illegal IGP’,” Mr Sowore said in a message he circulated via Whatsapp on Tuesday.
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Sowore to Face Charges for Calling Retired IGP 'Illegal IGP'Activist Omoyele Sowore was charged with 17 counts of cybercrime offences in Nigeria for referring to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal IGP” in a social media post. The charges stem from Sowore's criticism of Egbetokun's extended tenure in office, which was allowed by a controversial alteration to the Nigeria Police Act. Sowore, who has been detained by the police, described the charges as ridiculous and highlighted alleged blunders in the indictment, including misspellings of his name.
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Human Rights Activist Omoyele Sowore Charged With CybercrimesOmoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate, has been charged with 17 counts of cybercrime by the Nigerian police. The charges stem from Sowore's description of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as an 'illegal IGP' in a video clip shared on social media.
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Nigeria Police to Re-arraign Activist Omoyele Sowore in AbujaHuman rights activist Omoyele Sowore is set to face new charges in Abuja, after the police abandoned plans to transfer him to Lagos for trial. Sowore's detention stems from a viral video exposing alleged police extortion, but he rejects bail conditions that require a level 16 civil servant as surety and surrender of his passport.
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Amnesty International Condemns Detention of Activist Omoyele SoworeAmnesty International Nigeria has criticized the detention of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore by the police, alleging that authorities are targeting him for exercising his right to freedom of expression. The organization condemned the bail conditions imposed on Sowore, calling them unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental right to liberty. Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters, has been a vocal critic of government policies.
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Terrorists bomb Borno police station, kill two officersThe Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a clampdown on the assailants.
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Human Rights Activist Alleges Sowore's Prosecution Fueled by IGP CriticismDeji Adeyanju, a human rights activist, claims the Nigeria Police Force is targeting Omoyele Sowore due to his criticism of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was invited for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking, negligent acts, and intimidation stemming from an encounter with police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. Adeyanju criticized the police's bail conditions, which include depositing Sowore's international passport and requiring a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor, calling them 'outrageous' and a 'charade'. He alleges the police are focusing on less important matters while ignoring serious policing concerns and are using this opportunity to persecute Sowore for his vocal criticism of Egbetokun's extended tenure.
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