Judge Refuses To Hear IGP Egbetokun’s Case Against Sowore
Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has refused to continue with the case filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The judge has failed to appear in court on two occasions, particularly for sessions scheduled to hear a fresh application for the release of Sowore’s passport, which the court had earlier seized.
Sources at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) told SaharaReporters that the police have repeatedly refused to hand over the case file to AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), despite several formal requests.
“The case ought to be heard on June 24, but Justice Liman was noticeably absent in his court as he went to a conference in Lagos State,” a source said.
Due to the judge’s absence, the hearing expected to consider Sowore’s application for the temporary release of his passport was stalled on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The court registrar has now scheduled July 21 for the hearing – a date that’s also uncertain, given that judges will be proceeding to vacation in July until late September.
SaharaReporters had reported in April that Justice Liman’s absence had stalled proceedings in Sowore’s case to recover his passport.
Sowore, who was granted bail on January 30, 2025, with a bond of ₦10 million and other conditions including the surrender of his passport, had petitioned the court to release the document temporarily, specifying the number of days he would require it.
In a recent post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sowore criticised the ongoing delays and condemned what he described as an unjust seizure of his travel document.
“The ongoing March for Justice represents a lifetime commitment, undeterred by challenges,” he said.
“At Abuja’s Federal High Court, efforts to recover my International Passport, unjustly confiscated by Justice MS Liman and Kayode Egbetokun, the Illegal General of the Nigeria Police Force, were thwarted by the judge’s absence, leading to a shift in focus to the streets, where many compatriots face dire circumstances created by a wicked set of unconscionable rulers.”
Sowore was invited by the police in January 2025 after he posted a video on social media alleging extortion by officers at a checkpoint near Lagos airport.
He honoured the invitation at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja but was subsequently detained when he refused bail conditions that included surrendering his passport and providing a senior civil servant as surety.
Shortly after his detention, the police filed a 16-count cybercrime charge against him.
The charges stemmed from his social media posts in which he referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.”
The police alleged that Sowore knowingly made false statements intended to incite public unrest and damage the reputation of the police force.
The Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on January 30, 2025, with conditions including a ₦10 million bond and the surrender of his passport to the court registrar.
He was given 24 hours to meet these conditions or remain in custody.
Sowore’s supporters have accused the authorities of deliberately stalling legal processes to frustrate his activism and international engagements, while human rights organisations have also raised concerns about prolonged restrictions on his freedom of movement.
SaharaReporters previously reported that Sowore had criticised Justice Liman over the seizure of his passport, questioning the judge’s understanding and competence in cybercrime-related matters.
Speaking outside the court premises in Abuja recently, Sowore said, “This case should never have come before a court. But we know what they’re doing. The judiciary, the police, the legislative arm of Nigeria – they’re all in bed together. How can anyone have confidence in the judiciary?”
He also recounted his past experiences with the court, reminding the public that the same court previously held him on treason charges for five years — a case that was eventually withdrawn without explanation.
“They tried me for five years for an offence I didn’t commit,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
