IGP charges Sowore with false publication, forgery

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a three-count charge against politician and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/374/2025, Sowore is accused of publishing false information against the police, forging a police signal, and inciting mutiny through social media posts.

The first count alleges that Sowore and Sahara Reporters conspired to commit forgery on July 30, 2025, in violation of Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The second accuses them of forging a police wireless message purportedly signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP.

The third count claims that on July 31, 2025, Sowore posted a fake police signal and other inciting materials on his Facebook page with the intent to provoke members of the force and the public into mutiny, an offence under Section 114 of the Penal Code.

Sowore was scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, but the case stalled because prosecutors could not serve the charge on Sahara Reporters, listed as the second defendant.

Prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that efforts to serve the media platform through substituted means—via newspaper publication—were still ongoing.

He therefore sought an adjournment, which Justice Emeka Nwite granted, fixing September 15 for arraignment.