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Cybercrime Charges: Sowore Pleads Not Guilty, Seeks Bail

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Amid growing legal tension, former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to seventeen counts of cybercrime brought against him by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Biztellers reports that Sowore was arrested on Monday and detained at the Intelligence Response Team facility in Abuja after he rejected the administrative bail conditions offered by the police.

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Sowore’s arrest followed an invitation to the Force Intelligence Headquarters over allegations including resisting public officers, obstructing their duties, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.

He was later arraigned before Justice Musa Liman, where the charges were read to him.

The charges, filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, stem from statements Sowore made on his verified X handle (formerly Twitter), in which he referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.”

According to the police, Sowore’s posts were intended to incite public unrest and harm the reputation of both the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force.

Count One of the charge reads: That you, Omoyele Sowore, on the 13th day of December 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did intentionally and knowingly send messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, where you called him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.’

“This statement, which you knew to be false, was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. By causing this message to be sent, you committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended (2024), and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.”

Count Two states: “That you, Omoyele Sowore, intentionally and knowingly caused the transmission of messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, calling him ‘illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.’

“This statement, which you knew to be false, tagged the verified Nigeria Police Force X handle, @policeNG. The publication contained threats intended to incite Nigerians against the Nigeria Police Force and harm the property or reputation of the Inspector General of Police or the Nigeria Police Force.

“By so doing, you committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended (2024).”

Count Three reads: “That you, Omoyele Sowore, on December 20, 2024, intentionally and knowingly sent messages through your verified X handle account, ‘Omoyele Sowore,’ and caused a publication against the Inspector General of Police, stating: ‘The illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun, will make the next #ENDSARS inevitable! He is working tirelessly towards it. Just a matter of time. #EgbetekunMustGo #Revolution.’

“This statement, which you knew to be false, was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order. By causing this message to be sent, you committed an offence.”

After the charges were read, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, requested bail for his client.

Justice Liman adjourned the matter and is expected to rule on the bail application at 3 p.m.

 

Crime

Kogi NSCDC Deputy Commandant Arrested Over Alleged ₦3bn Fraud

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State, Adam Imam Yusuf, over an alleged ₦3 billion fraud.

In a statement released on its website, ICPC confirmed Yusuf’s arrest at his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja, after he had been on the run.

The commission stated that he is now in custody and will face prosecution.

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“Yusuf, who was at large until now, was taken into custody from his Gwagwalada, Abuja residence and is set to face prosecution,” the statement read.

ICPC alleged that Yusuf conspired with a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), and a former Brigadier General, Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.), to orchestrate the fraud.

“ICPC investigations revealed that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.).

“The alleged scheme reportedly involved the diversion of public funds using 92 fictitious companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),” ICPC stated.

According to the commission, investigations traced the misappropriated funds to companies including Lahab Integrated and Gate Coast Properties, which were allegedly used to acquire at least 18 properties, including filling stations.

It further disclosed that four of the properties have already been forfeited to the government, while legal proceedings continue over the remaining assets.

The ICPC also stated that efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects who remain at large.

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How NVIS Aided Recovery Of 73 Stolen Vehicles In 2024 – FRSC

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Intelligence driven operations powered by the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) was pivotal in the recovery of 73 stolen vehicles in Nigeria in 2024.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) made the revelation in a statement in Abuja, on Wednesday.

According to its spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the feat was attained in collaboration with other security agencies, relying on data at the NVIS Portal.

The details on the NVIS Portal made it possible, Ogungbemide explained, for the stolen vehicles to be intercepted at the point of registration, thereby frustrating the efforts of the criminals at integrating them into the system.

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Ogungbemide wrote, “The 73 stolen vehicles recovered include 4 Toyota Highlanders, 1 Toyota Lexus, 21 Toyota Corollas, 17 Toyota Camrys, 6 Toyota Siennas, 6 Lexus 350s, 3 Lexus ES350s, 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 Toyota RAV4, 1 Toyota Celica, 1 Toyota Venza, 1 Suzuki Bus, 1 Honda Pilot, 1 Honda Ace, 2 Honda Accords, 1 Daihatsu, 1 Mercedes-Benz, 1 Man Truck, 1 Pontiac Vibe, and 2 Qlink Motorcycles.”

The statement also mentioned that Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended FRSC personnel for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring road safety and security.

He emphasised the importance of accurate vehicle registration details, stating that proper documentation plays a crucial role in intelligence gathering and vehicle recovery.

He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to making Nigerian roads safer while urging the public to support efforts in crime prevention and road safety management.

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Suspended Oba Ogunjobi Remanded In Custody Over Viral Assault Incident

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Man Arrested For Burglary In Ogun Churches

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre after failing to meet his bail conditions.

Yinka Odukoya, spokesperson for the correctional facility, confirmed on Wednesday that the monarch remained in custody because he had yet to fulfill the bail requirements set by the court.

“Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released,” Odukoya said

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Oba Ogunjobi was arraigned by the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday in connection with a viral video showing him assaulting Abraham Areola, a 73-year-old man.

According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch faces charges of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The charge reads:

“That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 11:00 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”

“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”

“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”

The accused monarch pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko, who granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of ₦5 million each, with the sureties required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case has been adjourned to March 6, 2025 for further hearing.

Recall that a viral video showing Ogunjobi assaulting Areola sparked outrage across social media.

In the two-minute footage, Areola is seen kneeling on the road as Ogunjobi berates him with insults, accusing him of conspiring against him and his family.

The monarch, a retired police officer, also boasted about his connections in law enforcement, threatening to have Areola imprisoned.

At one point, Ogunjobi’s aide was seen striking the elderly man and ordering him to prostrate before the monarch.

Following the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ogun State commended the state government for swiftly suspending Ogunjobi.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, the CSOs condemned the assault and called for the full prosecution of the monarch.

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ogun State also praised the government and the police for their prompt action.

PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, called for the arrest of the aide who struck Areola and reassured the public of the committee’s impartial stance on human rights issues.

Oba Ogunjobi remains at the Ilaro Correctional Centre, awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

 

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