Police summon Sowore over extortion video, activist agrees to honor invitation
Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has announced his decision to honor an invitation from the Nigerian Police Force regarding a viral video he shared alleging extortion at a police checkpoint in Lagos.
In a post on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Sowore confirmed receiving the official invitation and expressed his willingness to appear before the police in Abuja on Monday. “The PoliceNG invitation has arrived. I will be there on Monday as requested,” he wrote, sharing a photo of the letter.
According to reports, the controversy arose after Sowore posted a video earlier this week accusing police officers at a Lagos checkpoint of engaging in extortion.
The video prompted the police authorities to order an investigation into the allegations, alongside reports of a “manhunt” allegedly initiated for Sowore.
The letter from the Force Intelligence Department of the NPF partly read, “This office is investigating case of Resisting and Obstructing Public Officers, Disobedience to Lawful Order, Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Harm or Prevent Arrest, Compelling Action by Intimidation, Reckless & Negligent Acts, Refusal to Assist Public Servant and Cyberstalking in which your name featured, prominently.
“You are requested to report for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 212, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Monday, 27th January, 2025 at 10am.”
The invitation letter also stated that Sowore has the right to bring his attorney to the meeting.
