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By Tracy Moses
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has instituted legal proceedings against former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and his online platform, Sahara Reporters, over allegations of forgery and false publication. Their arraignment has been fixed for September 15, 2025.
The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/374/2025 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, borders on a three-count charge involving conspiracy to forge, forgery of a police wireless signal, and dissemination of false and inciting publications.
According to the charge sheet, Sowore and Sahara Reporters are accused of conspiring on July 30, 2025, to commit forgery—an offence said to be contrary to Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
They are further alleged to have forged a police wireless message purportedly signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police on the same date, also contrary to the said Act.
The prosecution additionally claims that on July 31, 2025, Sowore deliberately shared the forged police signal along with other “inciting content” on his Facebook page, allegedly aimed at provoking officers of the force and the public to revolt against the Federal Government, an act said to contravene Section 114 of the Penal Code.
The defendants were initially billed for arraignment last Wednesday, but the proceeding was stalled after prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, informed the court that Sahara Reporters had yet to be properly served. He added that attempts were ongoing to serve the media outlet through substituted means by newspaper publication.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently granted the application for adjournment and fixed September 15, 2025, as the new date for the arraignment.