The Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the cyberbullying charges brought against Omoyele Sowore by former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, ruling that the prosecution failed to diligently pursue the case.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Justice Musa Liman agreed with Sowore’s counsel that the matter had not been actively prosecuted, and consequently struck out the charges.
Background of the Case
In January 2025, Egbetokun had arraigned Sowore on 16-count charges related to alleged cybercrime. Sowore pleaded not guilty. The charges reportedly stemmed from a viral video in which Sowore confronted police officers who had stopped his vehicle at a checkpoint in Lagos.
Prior to the arraignment, the police had invited Sowore for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking, intimidation, and other related acts. He was subsequently granted bail and asked to surrender his passport as part of the bail conditions.
The case experienced multiple adjournments. On March 17, 2026, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow its legal team to replace counsel. Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshall, opposed the request and urged the court to dismiss the charges for lack of diligent prosecution.
Court Ruling and Aftermath
Justice Liman sided with Sowore’s legal team, striking out the charges. The police later filed an ex parte motion to relist the case for a fresh trial but subsequently withdrew it.
During proceedings on Tuesday, Liman formally struck out the application to relist the matter. Following the ruling, Sowore’s passport was returned to him through his lawyers.
The judgment marks a significant legal victory for the activist and SaharaReporters publisher, reaffirming the court’s stance on the need for timely and diligent prosecution in criminal matters.
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