Omoyele Sowore, renowned activist and former presidential contender, has once again taken aim at the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), accusing the institution of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and abuse of power rooted in the “illegal office” of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
The human rights advocate alleges that his latest detention and the petitions served upon him were contrived instruments of a vendetta, personally engineered by the nation’s top cop and filtered through a controversial inner circle that includes an ACP allegedly promoted due to a personal relationship with the IGP.
A Pattern of Persecution: Historical Precedents of Arbitrary Detention
Sowore’s claims form part of a well-documented pattern of state repression. Since 2019, he has endured at least three high-profile detentions—first by the Department of State Services on treason charges for #RevolutionNow protests in August 2019; then arrests and assaults during demonstrations in January and May 2021—each time under spurious allegations and protracted custody without evidence.
As Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights observed,
“Over the last 5 months, the Nigerian authorities have subjected…to unlawful arrests, arbitrary detention and malicious prosecution…relying solely on lawful public statements”.
Sowore’s persistent clashes with security agencies have turned him into a symbol of the battle for press freedom and civic rights in Nigeria.
The Abuja Showdown: Two Petitions from an “Illegal Office”
On the evening of Wednesday, 6 August 2025, Sowore voluntarily honoured an invitation to the Force Intelligence Department (FID) at Abuja’s Force Headquarters.
Upon arrival—flanked by his legal team (A.K. Musa, Marshal Abubakar) and supporters—he was detained by DCP Akin Fakorede, a former SARS commander notorious for alleged rights abuses.
Fakorede presented two petitions: one accusing Sowore of forgery and another, labelled “criminal defamation,” filed by Bukola Yemisi Kuti, an ACP whose meteoric rise Sowore describes as reward for her liaison with the IGP.
When Sowore demanded sight of the original petitions before giving a statement, investigators stalled, citing the need for the Deputy IGP’s presence.
Meanwhile, armed officers were deployed around the FID, fuelling speculation he would be moved to an undisclosed location—a tactic reminiscent of prior DSS and police operations against him.
Mistress-Linked Promotion: A Scandal of Speed and Nepotism
Bukola Yemisi Kuti’s promotion to ACP after just six months as CSP stands in stark contrast with standard career trajectories.
For context, DIG Frank Mba joined the force as a cadet in 1994 and attained ACP in 2014—20 years later—rising through established meritocratic processes.
By contrast, Kuti’s ascent from ASP to ACP within a decade has ignited fury within the Force, with insiders decrying the leap as “highly irregular” and ethnically charged.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) reportedly approved special promotions for 37 officers handpicked by IGP Egbetokun—among them Kuti—but internal dissent has withheld the public announcement of the list pending resolution of grievances.
Critics accuse the IGP of weaponising promotions to cultivate loyalty, undermining institutional integrity and provoking inter-ethnic tensions within the NPF.
Constitutional Breaches and Legal Outcry
Legal experts have roundly condemned the manner of Sowore’s detention. Abbas Ochogwu, a Senior Advocate, decried the police’s dual role as complainant and investigator, calling it “a clear breach of due process” and “an abuse of power”.
Marshall Abubakar, another counsel on Sowore’s team, pointed to fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, insisting that any petition from an “illegal office” nullifies the legitimacy of proceedings.
Amnesty International and other rights organisations have echoed these criticisms.
They highlight that the NPF’s handling of petitions that alleged forging of signatures and defamatory remarks is emblematic of broader systemic failures, including lack of transparency, accountability, and adherence to rule of law.
Public Outrage and Activist Mobilisation
News of Sowore’s detention and the details of the petitions have sparked an outcry across social media and civil society.
Hashtags demanding “#FreeSoworeNow” trended on X, with thousands decrying the perceived vendetta. Protesters have converged outside the FID, raising placards and chanting for his immediate release.
Observers note the irony: a nation that once hailed the IGP’s anti-crime crusade under SARS reforms now witnesses its activists silenced under the same baton.
International bodies have also weighed in. The Committee to Protect Journalists cautioned that these punitive measures “contravene Nigeria’s international obligations on freedom of expression,” urging President Tinubu’s administration to investigate the IGP’s inner workings and ensure due process.
The Broader Context: Egbetokun’s Tenure and Institutional Trust
IGP Kayode Egbetokun assumed office in June 2023 with a pledge to pivot the NPF towards community policing and integrity.
His defenders cite PSC figures that over 10,000 officers were promoted through “regular and transparent” processes between 2023 and August 2025, suggesting broad-based reform.
Yet, the Sowore affair, coupled with allegations of back-door promotions and a personalised “IGP office,” threatens to erode public trust and stoke institutional cynicism.
Comparative Historical Insights
Nigeria’s policing history is rife with episodes of rank-inflation and political interference. In the 1980s and 1990s, promotions often served as patronage for military regimes, engendering impunity.
The SARS era (1992–2020) starkly illustrated abuses by privileged squads. The current scandal, however, is unprecedented for its alleged fusion of career advancement with intimate affiliations—a trope more akin to kleptocratic autocracies than democratic policing models.
Implications for Democracy and Security
From a conservative standpoint, the Sowore saga underscores a dire need for robust internal oversight. A politicised police hierarchy undermines security, emboldens careerism over competence and endangers citizens’ rights.
The IGP’s “illegal office,” if proven, signifies a parallel chain of command immune to checks and balances—contrary to democratic norms and public expectations of professional law enforcement.
A Call for Transparency and Rule of Law
Omoyele Sowore’s allegations strike at the heart of Nigeria’s struggle between democratic accountability and entrenched power.
His detention over petitions from an “illegal office,” facilitated by a mistress-promoted ACP, demands a thorough, independent inquiry.
The NPF must reaffirm its commitment to due process, purge illicit networks within its ranks and restore faith in its promotion system.
Only then can Nigerians believe in a police force that serves the people rather than personal agendas.
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