Convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele Sowore, was on Wednesday, arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations bordering on cybercrime.
Mr Sowore, who was arraigned before Justice Musa Liman, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count amended charge preferred against him by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The IG had in an amended charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2025, named Mr Sowore as sole defendant.
Mr Sowore on Monday honoured the invitation of the police where he was questioned at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
He was subsequently granted administrative bail but rejected the conditions of bail and remained in custody.
The police later filed 17 counts against him, but the charge was reduced to 16 counts.
In count three, the police alleged that Mr Sowore on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force.”
He was also alleged to have posted the picture of Mr Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people cannot make progress.”
The police also alleged that Mr Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now.”
After he pleaded not guilty to all the counts, his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, moved his bail application and it was opposed by the IG’s counsel, M.U. Jonathan.
Justice Liman stood down the ruling on Mr Sowore’s bail plea until 3pm.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, and former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, were among prominent Nigerians who watched the proceedings.
(NAN)
