Sowore sets condition before honouring police invite

The Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore looks on during the National Anthem, during the signing of the 1st National Peace Accord by political parties Presidential candidates of all political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections in Abuja, on September 29, 2022 (Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto) (Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

Nigerian activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has refused to honour a fresh police invitation unless it is backed by a valid legal summons and a copy of the petition against him.

The Nigeria Police Force had re-invited Sowore for questioning on allegations of forgery and inciting disturbance. The initial appointment, scheduled for 4 August at the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja, was postponed due to the absence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, who was said to be on a national assignment in the North-east.

In a statement posted Tuesday morning, Sowore confirmed the police had reached out again, requesting his appearance by 3:00 p.m. today. However, he rejected the request, describing the earlier invitation as “legally invalid” and filled with “fabrications.”

“The letter claimed I was being invited over an unknown offence ‘inciting disturbance’ a term that exists nowhere in Nigerian criminal law,” he wrote, citing Section 53(2) of the “ACJA 2025,” a law he says does not exist.

Sowore, a fierce critic of the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said he would only comply if the police provided an official, properly signed summons and a copy of the original complaint.

The police have not responded publicly to the activist’s demands or clarified the status of the invitation.

The renewed invitation comes amid tensions following a protest by retired police officers at Force Headquarters, which Sowore helped amplify. During the 21 July demonstration, he accused a police officer of stealing his smart glasses, a matter he formally reported to authorities.

Sowore has had multiple run-ins with security agencies, including pending cybercrime charges stemming from his criticism of the IGP. He maintains the cases are politically motivated.

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