Activist Sowore to be arraigned for alleged forgery, cyberstalking

Activist Omoyele Sowore is to arraigned in the court over alleged forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions, the police have said.

Sowore, who was taken into custody on Thursday, August 7, was released on bail on Friday evening, Persecondnews had reported.

It is, however, not clear when he would be taken to court.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has rejected what it described as “a recent wave of disinformation” surrounding the arrest and detention of activist Omoyele Sowore, insisting that he was taken into custody over “credible, corroborated allegations” of criminal conduct, not political reasons.

In a press release dated 8 August 2025 (Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/483), the Force said Sowore’s offences include forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions currently under active investigation.

“The arrest was effected in full compliance with extant legal provisions, and with strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, due process, and the rights of the suspect,” it said.

Police maintained that Sowore was granted bail “well within the 48-hour constitutional window, in accordance with the provisions of Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution,” and that he “is fully aware of the nature of the allegations against him” ahead of his expected court appearance.

On allegations of torture, the Force declared: “Equally false and grossly misleading is the narrative suggesting that Mr. Sowore was tortured or subjected to any form of inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody.
The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance policy for torture, in alignment with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.”

The statement also addressed the viral photo of Sowore with a bandaged arm: “The bandage was part of his personal belongings at the time he honoured the Police’s invitation, prior to his arrest and detention.”

It added that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered an internal probe “to ascertain how he had access to it during detention, particularly in light of his consistent refusal to undergo medical examination by the independent teams deployed by the Police.”

According to the police, a medical team led by the Medical Director of the Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital visited Sowore on 7 August, but “Mr. Sowore declined the evaluation.”

A second team, led by the Force Medical Officer, was sent on 8 August and “again, access was denied by the suspect.” Both refusals were “officially documented.”

The statement stressed that Sowore’s detention “is not arbitrary; it is anchored on a valid remand order issued by a competent court of jurisdiction,” and that “every action taken by the Nigeria Police Force in this matter has been underpinned by legal authority, devoid of malice, bias, or political undertones.”

The police urged the media, civil society and the public to “exercise greater diligence, restraint, and professional responsibility in their reporting,” warning that “sensationalism, particularly when driven by those with personal vendettas against the Police leadership, poses a clear risk to public trust.”