The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against politician and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged false publication and forgery.
In a three-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/374/2025 and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Sowore was accused of publishing false information about the police on his platforms and forging an official police signal.
The counts read in part:
“That you Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters on or about the 30th day of July, 2025 did conspire between yourselves to commit a felony to wit forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (C) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters on or about the 30th day of July, 2025 forged a police wireless message purported to have been signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (C) of Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you Omoyele Sowore on or about the 31st day of July, 2025 did intentionally post a fake police signal and other inciting materials on your Facebook page with intention to incite members of the force and the general public to embark on a mutiny against the Federal Government of Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Law.”
Although Sowore was billed for arraignment on Wednesday, the proceeding was stalled due to the inability of the prosecution to serve the charge on Sahara Reporters, which was listed as the second defendant.
Prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, told the court that efforts were ongoing to serve the media outfit through substituted means, including newspaper publication. He then applied for a new date.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case till September 15 for arraignment.