By Kelvin Adegbenga
It has become worrisome to watch Omoyele Sowore, the serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), repeatedly describe the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal.”
Such reckless utterances are not only misleading but also an affront to the law and the institution of the Nigeria Police Force.
For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the Inspector General of Police is clearly governed by the Nigeria Police Act 2020 (as amended).
Before Dr. Egbetokun assumed office, Section 7(6) of the Act provided for a four-year renewable tenure for the IGP. However, in 2024, the Senate, through an executive bill, amended the law to ensure stability in police leadership.
A new subsection was inserted into Section 18, stipulating that an IGP is entitled to complete his or her four-year term even if they attain the statutory retirement age of 60 within that period.
This amendment was passed by the National Assembly, assented to by the President, and is now law.
Therefore, it is outrightly false, mischievous, and contemptuous for Mr. Sowore to arrogate to himself the powers of the judiciary by declaring a constitutionally appointed IGP “illegal.”
Sowore is not a court of law, neither does he wield the authority to invalidate the lawful actions of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the National Assembly.
Let it be made clear: calling a legally appointed IGP “illegal” is itself against the law. It amounts to deliberate misinformation and character assassination.
Freedom of speech, though guaranteed under our Constitution, is not absolute. It comes with responsibilities and limits.
Access to social media and online platforms should not be mistaken for a license to abuse that freedom or to incite the public against established institutions.
I must also caution those ignorantly following Sowore’s antics on social media: be guided.
The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act is in full force, and anyone who spreads falsehood or joins in defaming lawful institutions under the guise of “activism” risks being held liable.
Equally, the so-called “learned silks” who are giving Sowore tacit backing must face the reality of the law and call their client to order before the long arm of justice catches up with him.
Finally, I call on the judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court, to expedite hearing on the case instituted by the Inspector General of Police against Mr. Sowore.
The matter is too weighty to be treated with levity. Our courts must send a strong message that the rule of law, not the rule of social media theatrics, governs Nigeria.
Enough is enough. No individual, no matter how loud or persistent, is bigger than the law.
Kelvin Adegbenga is the National Coordinator of the Integrity Youth Alliance based in Ikeja, Lagos Email: kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com
