The Nigeria Police Force has indefinitely postponed its scheduled interview with former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, citing the unavailability of a senior officer for an urgent assignment.
The police had initially summoned Sowore to appear before the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit in Abuja on Monday, August 4, 2025, for questioning over allegations of forgery and inciting public disturbance. The case was reportedly filed on July 31, with Sowore’s name prominently featured in the complaint.
However, in a message shared by Sowore on Saturday evening, the police announced the postponement of the scheduled meeting without setting a new date. The communication, sent by investigating officer Hafiz Garba, explained that the delay was necessary due to the absence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, who heads the IGP Monitoring Unit.
“Please be informed that your meeting with DCP Akin Fakorede, Head of IGP Monitoring Unit, slated for Monday, 4th August 2025, has been postponed,” the official message stated. “This is due to the unavailability of the Head on that date, as he will be attending to an urgent national assignment in the North East. A new date will be fixed and you will be notified accordingly.”
The postponement represents a significant development in what appeared to be an escalating confrontation between law enforcement and the prominent activist. Sowore, who ran for president in the 2019 and 2023 elections, has been a vocal critic of government policies and has faced multiple encounters with security agencies over his activism.
The police had not provided detailed information about the specific nature of the forgery allegations or the circumstances surrounding the reported public disturbance case. The timing of the original summons had raised questions among civil society groups and Sowore’s supporters, who viewed it as part of a broader pattern of harassment against opposition figures and activists.
The “urgent national assignment” in the North East mentioned in the postponement notice likely relates to ongoing security operations in the region, which continues to face challenges from insurgent activities and other security concerns requiring high-level police intervention.
No new date has been announced for the rescheduled interview, leaving the matter in limbo as both Sowore and his legal team await further communication from the police authorities.
