In a significant ruling delivered on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja struck out the cyberbullying charge (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025) instituted by the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against prominent human rights activist, journalist, and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The court dismissed the case for lack of diligent prosecution, noting that the Nigeria Police Force had failed to commence prosecution since Sowore’s arraignment in January 2025. Justice Liman held that the prosecution did not comply with the provisions of Section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The charge was accordingly struck out and dismissed.
The case stemmed from social media posts made by Sowore on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle (@OmoyeleSowore) in December 2024, in which he referred to Egbetokun as the “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun,” tagged the official Nigeria Police Force handle (@policeNG), and warned that Egbetokun’s actions could trigger another #EndSARS-like protest.
The former IGP alleged that the publications were false, intended to incite Nigerians against the police, cause a breakdown of law and order, and damage his reputation, thereby contravening Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
Sowore’s lead counsel, Marshall Abubakar, had applied for the charge to be struck out on grounds of want of diligent prosecution. The court upheld the application after the prosecution sought yet another adjournment.
Reacting to the ruling, Sowore described the outcome as another “catastrophic failure” for those who attempted to use state institutions to silence dissent, likening it to previous failed attempts to prosecute him.
His legal team emphasized that the dismissal underscores the importance of fairness, equity, and the rule of law over the abuse of state power for personal or institutional vendettas.
This victory reaffirms the right to freedom of expression and holds public office holders accountable, while sending a strong message against the weaponization of criminal charges to harass critics and journalists.
Omoyele Sowore remains committed to the struggle for good governance, transparency, and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.