By Kelvin Adegbenga
A few months ago, a self-made activist, Omoyele Sowore, embarked on a hashtag, #EgbetokunMustGo, on his social media handles.
Aside from the hashtag, he takes every opportunity to attack the person of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
I recall the emphasis started on 29th January 2025 when Omoyele Sowore pleaded not guilty to the seventeen-count cybercrime charges brought against him by the Nigerian Police Force.
Sowore was invited to the Force Intelligence Headquarters in Abuja over allegations of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.
Sowore was detained at the Intelligence Response Team detention facility in Abuja after refusing to accept the administrative bail conditions granted to him by the police.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had filed the charges against Sowore for allegedly calling him an “illegal IGP” on his verified X handle (formerly Twitter).
Count One of the charge read, “That you, Omoyele Sowore, on the 13th day of December 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable 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 read, “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 read, “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.”
The payback for charging Omoyele Sowore for resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests is his mischievous and senseless campaign of #EgbetokunMustGo.
It seems after his woefully failed presidential ambition, even though he can’t win a councillor seat from his Ilaje community, Sowore decided to go on a cruise with the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Unfortunately, IGP Kayode Egbetokun didn’t even know that Sowore has embarked on a senseless campaign of #EgbetokunMustGo, as he is busy with his vision of improving policing through a multi-faceted approach. It emphasises collaboration with communities, leveraging technology, and enhancing the force’s ability to address emerging threats. This includes strengthening internal security, ensuring justice is served while upholding human rights, and fostering a more professional and people-friendly police force.
Nigerians will remember that the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act of 2020 came into effect on September 17, 2020, replacing the Police Act of 2004. According to the Police Act of 2020, the Inspector General of Police shall be appointed by the President based on the advice of the Police Council, and this appointment must be made from among the serving members of the Police Force.
Section 7(6) of the Nigerian Police Act 2020 specifies that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) holds office for a term of four years. Removal from office can only occur through a presidential decision based on advice from the Police Council.
Therefore, Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020 had been in existence before the appointment of IGP Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police.
Furthermore, the National Assembly amended Section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 in July 2024 to allow the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to complete a four-year tenure, regardless of reaching the age of 60 or the standard 35 years of service.
This was done to address a potential conflict between the general retirement provisions and the IGP’s specific four-year term outlined in Section 7(6).
The amendment introduces subsection (8a), clarifying that the IGP’s tenure is determined by their appointment letter, as per Section 7(6).
This amendment allows the current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to complete his four-year term until 2027, as per his appointment letter.
With the above well explained, there is no doubt that the #EgbetekunMustGo campaign by Omoyele Sowore was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, and it is high time Sowore is tamed before he enters the market, which might be dangerous to his existence.
Kelvin Adegbenga is the National Coordinator of Integrity Youth Alliance. kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com
