The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, along with his son Victor and police officer Bukola Kuti, have successfully obtained a court ruling that prohibits activist Omoyele Sowore and his news platform, Sahara Reporters, from disseminating purportedly defamatory comments against them.
The claimants, via three distinct submissions prepared by their attorney, Ayotunde Ogunleye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, received these temporary orders in Abuja on Wednesday, as detailed in legal documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES.
In the legal filings, Sowore, the individual behind Sahara Reporters, is identified as a defendant.
Background
This recent court ruling follows a long-standing conflict between the police leadership and Sowore concerning the legitimacy of the IGP’s ongoing position.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate representing the African Action Congress (AAC), has consistently challenged the validity of Egbetokun's prolonged term, which led the Nigerian police to file cybercrime charges against him in January 2025.
The police's accusations against Sowore include 17 counts of cybercrime arising from his characterization of the IGP as an “illegal IGP” in posts across his social media channels.
Egbetokun, who was anticipating retirement at the statutory age of 60 in September 2024, gained an extension in service following a contentious change to the Nigeria Police Act approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu. This amendment permits Egbetokun to remain in his position for an additional four years as the nation's police chief.
The police alleged in the lawsuit that Sowore was aware that calling Egbetokun an “illegal IGP” was untrue but made the assertion deliberately to provoke a “breakdown of law and order.” Nonetheless, Sowore has denied the charges against him.
Court Rulings
The court orders restrict Sowore from publishing any materials related to Egbetokun, Kuti, their respective offices, family members, or associated issues until the Motion on Notice is heard on April 14.
An ex parte injunction was also granted to Victor Egbetokun, preventing the defendants from releasing any “defamatory or derogatory statements” in either this outlet or others.
The high court instructed that Sowore refrain from asserting, through his media outlet, that Victor received N100 million from Anambra State's Security Votes.
Sowore's Reaction
In response to this development, Sowore described it as “disturbing and revealing,” asserting that the police chief's actions represent an effort to stifle public discourse and prevent further scrutiny of perceived misconduct.
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