Court Returns Sowore's Passport After Cybercrime Charges Dismissed

On March 24, 2026, a Nigerian court returned the international passport of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore after Justice Musa Liman dismissed cybercrime charges against him. Sowore described the month-long seizure of his passport as unjustified and linked to a controversial case initiated by the former Inspector General of Police.

Despite the court's ruling, Sowore alleged that there were attempts by police officials, including Assistant Commissioner Bukola Kuti and Inspector General Emmanuel Aina, to resurrect the case through an ex parte motion. Sowore's legal team, led by Barrister Marshal D.

F. Abubakar and Barrister Rosemari Hamza, sought a certified true copy of the court's final order.

However, delays occurred when the court registrar informed them that Justice Liman had not signed the order until the police formally appeared to withdraw their application. Ultimately, the police filed a motion to withdraw their earlier application, allowing the court to terminate the case and return Sowore's passport, concluding a lengthy legal struggle.