The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of activist Omoyele Sowore’s international passport after striking out a cybercrime case filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force.
Justice Musa Liman ruled that the prosecution had failed to diligently pursue the case since Sowore’s arraignment in January 2025.
The charge stemmed from Sowore’s social media posts, in which he referred to former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” and criticised the police.
During proceedings last week, the prosecution sought an adjournment to change its counsel. Sowore’s legal team opposed the request and asked the court to dismiss the case. The court agreed and struck out the charge.
Although the police later attempted to relist the case, they withdrew the application in open court on Tuesday. The court subsequently struck out the application, effectively bringing the matter to a close.
Following the ruling, Sowore’s passport, which had been seized as part of his bail conditions, was released to his lawyer and returned to him.
In a statement, Sowore claimed that some police officials attempted to relist the case through internal processes. He mentioned officers, including Assistant Commissioner of Police Bukola Kuti and Assistant Inspector-General of Police Emmanuel Aina.
He also alleged delays in obtaining certified copies of the court ruling and in securing the release of his passport, stating that the court eventually directed the police to formally withdraw their application before finalising the process.
The case originally arose from a police charge filed in January 2025 under the Cybercrime Act, with authorities arguing that his posts could incite a breakdown of law and order. Sowore maintained that the case was an attempt to suppress free expression.
Egbetokun, whose tenure had been extended through amendments to the Police Act despite an expected retirement in September 2024, eventually resigned in February.
