Court Sets new date To Rule On Sowore’s Passport Request In Cybercrime Case Over “Illegal Police IG” Remark
Justice Musa Suleiman Liman, who is presiding over the cybercrime charges filed against Sowore by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), is handling the case.
AFederal High Court in Abuja has scheduled Monday, March 3, 2025, for the hearing and ruling on human rights activist Omoyele Sowore’s request for the release of his passport.
Justice Musa Suleiman Liman, who is presiding over the cybercrime charges filed against Sowore by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), is handling the case.
The court asked Sowore to specify the number of days he needed the passport released.
Earlier, on January 30, 2025, the judge granted Sowore bail with a N10 million bond and several conditions, including the requirement to deposit his passport with the court.
The judge had instructed the activist to seek the court’s permission whenever he needed to travel.
He was arraigned before the court on a 16-count amended charge but pleaded not guilty to all charges filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Egbetokun brought the activist to court on what are alleged to be trumped-up charges after Sowore referred to him as an “Illegal IGP” during a visit to the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
Sowore has repeatedly referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” on social media. This comment led IGP Egbetokun to file a 16-count cybercrime charge against Sowore, alleging that the activist’s statements were false and intended to incite public disorder.
The charges were brought under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
Critics have argued that IGP Egbetokun’s decision to initiate legal action against Sowore violates the Nigeria Police Act and Regulations.
Specifically, Section 367(1) of the Act stipulates that no police officer shall institute legal proceedings in their personal interest related to public duties without prior government approval. This provision aims to prevent officers from leveraging their positions for personal legal advantages.
On January 30, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Sowore bail with a N10 million bond. The bail conditions required him to deposit his passport with the court and obtain permission for any travel.
Sowore’s legal team subsequently requested the temporary release of his passport, leading Justice Musa Suleiman Liman to schedule a hearing and ruling on the matter for Monday, March 3, 2025.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with various legal experts and human rights advocates expressing concerns over the implications for free speech and the potential misuse of cybercrime laws to suppress dissent.
