The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday adjourned the arraignment of the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in the alleged forgery and incitement case filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Sowore, alongside his media platform, Sahara Reporters, is facing a three-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/374/2025, bordering on conspiracy, forgery of an official police wireless message, and false publication with intent to incite mutiny.
At the proceedings, the presiding judge insisted that the charges be read to Sowore to enable him to take his plea, after which bail could be considered under stiff conditions.
However, Sowore’s legal team opposed the process, insisting that no offence had been established.
His counsel argued that even if an offence were to be assumed, the defendants could not have conspired to commit it since one of the supposed co-defendants “does not even exist.”
The court agreed with the argument and adjourned the matter until October 23, 2025, for proper examination.
According to the charge sheet, the police alleged that Sowore and Sahara Reporters conspired to forge a police wireless message dated July 30, 2025, purportedly signed by the principal staff officer to Egbetokun.
The alleged forged document was said to have been circulated to create disaffection within the Nigeria Police Force.
Read Also:
- ADC tells court it lacks power to sack Mark, Aregbesola as party leaders
- Rivers LG elections: Nobody voted, court will thrash it – Eze, APC chieftain
- Finnish court sentences Simon Ekpa to 6 years in prison for terrorism charges
One of the counts further alleged that on July 31, 2025, Sowore intentionally published the forged signal and other “inciting materials” on his Facebook page, with the aim of provoking members of the police and the general public to mutiny against the federal government.
The prosecution claims the offences are punishable under Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and Section 114 of the Penal Code Law.
Sowore, who has repeatedly clashed with security agencies over his activism and publications, was present in court.
The adjournment means his formal plea will now be taken at the next sitting.
Through his counsel, Abubakar Marshal, Sowore urged Justice Emeka Nwite to strike out the charges entirely, describing them as “defective, incompetent, and an abuse of prosecutorial powers” in violation of both the Nigeria Police Act and Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
