Alleged Forgery: Absence of Media House Stalls Sowore’s Arraignment

The planned arraignment of activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of the media organisation, which is listed as the second defendant in the case.

Sowore and Sahara Reporters are facing charges bordering on forgery, conspiracy, and incitement to mutiny.

According to the Federal Government’s case, they allegedly forged a police wireless message, purportedly signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, and published it on Sahara Reporters with the intent of creating disaffection and disobedience within the police force.

The charges were filed under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and Section 114 of the Penal Code.

At Monday’s sitting, the prosecution informed the court that the media house had not been properly served with the summons. Although the court had earlier ordered substituted service through publication, the notice had not yet been prepared for public circulation.

Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the case until September 15, 2025, to allow proper service on the second defendant.

Outside the courtroom, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, stated that the defence would challenge the competence of the charges. He described them as “frivolous and unjustified,” stressing that a plea could not be entered for a charge that is fundamentally defective in law.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and outspoken critic of government policies, has faced several legal battles in recent years, many of which he has dismissed as politically motivated.

The adjournment means that he and Sahara Reporters will now return to court in mid-September to take their plea once service is confirmed.