Sowore blasts IGP Egbetokun, calls him an enforcer serving Nigeria’s corrupt, and criminal class

Activist Omoyele Sowore has accused IGP Kayode Egbetokun of acting as “an enforcer serving Nigeria’s corrupt and criminal class”, alleging that his arrest and detention in October 2025 were driven by retaliation for his activism and investigative reporting rather than any lawful policing process.

Sowore says he spent four days at Kuje correctional centre in October 2025 after he was arrested and charged over his role in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

In a statement on social media, Sowore said he was not initially arrested when police detained Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother and other protesters, adding that he later visited them at the FCT police command to seek their bail.

He alleged that his arrest followed a Sahara Reporters exposé involving a visit by Pastor Jerry Uchechukwu Eze to the inspector-general’s office and a promotion scandal.

Sowore claimed that while being led into detention by CSP Ilyasu Barau, he was repeatedly told that “if I stopped calling Egbetokun an ‘illegal IGP’ and stopped exposing his questionable relationships and dalliances with staff, the ‘war’ would end immediately.”

He said his lawyer, Tope Temokun, witnessed the exchange.

Sowore further alleged that after a magistrate granted bail, the magistrate was abruptly removed and he was physically attacked within the court premises to ensure he was remanded in custody.

According to him, he was taken to Kuje prison despite the bail application having been concluded.

Sowore said that while in custody he met a detainee, Jesam Michael, who allegedly operated a large Ponzi scheme and claimed protection from senior police officers.

He quoted Jesam as saying he was given “an office inside Nigeria Police Force Headquarters” and had a police unit at his disposal to arrest complainants on cyberstalking charges.

Sowore also alleged that Jesam claimed his properties were shared among senior police officers and that a retired Deputy Inspector-General collected ₦250 million to silence victims.

He said Jesam further claimed that he dated the police officer assigned to investigate his case and that his detention only followed the takeover of the matter by the EFCC.

“I am saying all of this to make it clear that Nigeria does not technically have an Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force,” Sowore said.

He added that what exists instead is “a mercenary, an enforcer serving the corrupt, the deadly, and the cruel political, business, and criminal class.”