The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate release of activist Omoyele Sowore’s international passport after striking out the cybercrime charges filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Justice Musa Liman struck out the case on Tuesday following an application by Sowore’s counsel, citing the prosecution’s failure to diligently pursue the matter since the arraignment in January 2025.
The charges were based on Sowore’s social media posts in which he referred to Egbetokun as the “illegal IGP,” which the police described as cyberbullying and incitement.
After the charges were formally dismissed, the court released the passport, which had been seized and held as part of Sowore’s bail conditions for over a year. Sowore’s lawyers collected the document on Tuesday.
Reacting to the ruling, Sowore described the outcome as a victory against what he termed a politically motivated and unjust prosecution. He had consistently demanded the return of his passport, assuring the court he had no intention of jumping bail.
The development ends the legal battle that began after Sowore’s critical comments about the former police chief.
Civil society groups and Sowore’s supporters have welcomed the decision as a boost for freedom of expression and judicial fairness.
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