Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has been charged with inciting mutiny by the Nigerian Police Force for leading a protest alongside retired police officers demanding improved pensions and welfare.
The protest, which took place in July, called for the removal of the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Sowore confirmed receiving the charges, which also included accusations of instigating unrest within the force.
His arraignment is scheduled for August 14, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a related development, the police have returned Sowore’s AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses, stolen during the protest by a police cameraman, Aku Victor Chiemere. Sowore expressed relief at the return of his glasses but maintained that Chiemere was a “national thief.
This recent development follows Sowore’s two-day detention in August, where he alleged being assaulted and denied medical care by the police. Amnesty International condemned the detention, calling it a “gross violation of human rights”.
Sowore has a history of criticizing the police, particularly over the extension of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure, which he described as unconstitutional.
