Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has formally declined to honor a police invitation, citing multiple legal irregularities in the document issued by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Team.
The #RevolutionNow movement convener announced his decision on Tuesday, revealing that he had requested proper documentation from the police team but was met with resistance.
Police Cite Non-Existent Laws
Sowore disclosed that the IGP Monitoring Team had summoned him for questioning over allegations of “inciting disturbance,” but pointed out serious flaws in the invitation letter.
“Your initial invitation was invalidated by an alarming number of unknowns and legal fabrications,” Sowore stated in his response to the police.
The activist highlighted that the invitation referenced an offense called “inciting disturbance,” which he said does not exist anywhere in Nigerian criminal law.
More concerning, according to Sowore, was the police’s citation of “Section 53(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2025” – a version of the law that has never been enacted.
“Even more troubling, you cited Section 53(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2025. A version of the ACJA that does not exist,” he emphasized.
Legal Team Confirms Document Lacks Merit
Sowore revealed that his legal counsel had conducted a thorough review of the police invitation and concluded it was “entirely without legal merit.”
Despite his request for a valid invitation and a copy of the petition that prompted the police action, Sowore said the IGP Monitoring Team refused to comply with these basic legal requirements.
“Instead of complying, the IGP Monitoring Team insists that the previous invitation, which cited a nonexistent offense and referenced Section 53(2) of the ‘ACJA 2025’ is still valid,” he noted.
Conditions for Fresh Invitation
The activist outlined specific conditions that must be met before he would consider responding to any future police summons.
“If you are serious about this matter, I request the following before I consider honoring any fresh invitation: A properly dated and signed official invitation, and an advance copy of the actual petition or complaint upon which this invitation is based,” Sowore demanded.
