Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to halt what he described as human rights violations linked to a cybercrime case against Senator Chijinkem Ugwuanyi. Sowore demanded the senator’s immediate release and urged the police chief to rein in legal officers involved in the prosecution.
Reacting to proceedings at the Federal High Court in Enugu, Sowore alleged that the Nigeria Police Force instituted a “contrived” cybercrime charge against Ugwuanyi and acted improperly despite a pending bail application filed by the senator’s counsel, Barrister Frank Agbowo. He argued that the bail request should have been granted.
Sowore further claimed that after initially approaching a Magistrate Court, the police hurriedly filed a substantive charge at the Federal High Court upon realising flaws in their earlier legal strategy. He alleged that the initial move was aimed at keeping the senator in detention since January.
The activist also expressed concern over what he described as the Enugu State Police Command’s close ties with the state government, raising questions about the independence of the prosecution. He noted that the case has now been reframed as Federal Government of Nigeria vs. Chijinkem Ugwuanyi but insisted the substance remains unchanged.
Sowore maintained that the charges lack merit and called for their dismissal. He also demanded an investigation into any police officers allegedly involved in collusion, insisting that those found culpable should be held accountable.