Nigerian Cybercrime Police Centre Summons UK-Based Blogger Over Sowore Birthday Post

The Nigerian police have summoned a UK-based Nigerian blogger, Adeyinka Dorcas, for questioning regarding a social media post in which she wished human rights activist Omoyele Sowore a happy birthday. Dorcas shared a photo of herself alongside Sowore in her post on February 16, 2025. However, the specific concerns raised by the police remain unclear.

TrackNews Media reported that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi are targeting Sowore’s supporters, particularly those with whom they have personal grievances, following Sowore’s criticism of Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.” Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, is well-known for his activism and outspoken stance against government policies.

In an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, Adeyinka stated that the police invited her for questioning simply because she shared Sowore’s video and posted her picture with him to wish him a happy birthday. She emphasized that the police have no case against her and are using law enforcement to harass her. “They only started this madness because I shared Sowore’s video and posted my picture with him to wish him a happy birthday,” she said. “They didn’t charge me because they know they have no case; they just want to keep using the police to torment me,” Adeyinka added.

Meanwhile, an invitation letter obtained by SaharaReporters, dated February 17, 2025, from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center, was signed by CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry. The letter, referencing CR: 3000/NPF-NCCC/FHQ/ABJ/NA-WT/VOL/9/4-1, did not specify any offense but requested Mrs. Adeyinka Olukemi Temitayo Dorcas to appear for an interview with the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) at Plot 625 Mission Road, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja. The interview was scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

The letter read: “Further to the ongoing investigation at this center, you are requested to interview the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) at Plot 625 Mission Road, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja through the Assistant Director of Network Audit Analysis on Tuesday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Your cooperation in this matter will be highly appreciated.”

In one of her posts responding to Sowore’s court appearance regarding his cybercrime case, which involved calling Police IG Kayode Egbetokun an illegal IG, Dorcas wrote, “That man again awon oni wanted isonu!!! That is how he was used by FB Fracas to do the same to me. Just wait for me to continue my analysis in May. God knows I didn’t send that guy.”

In another comment on a video showing Sowore and human rights lawyer Adeyanju Deji speaking in court and criticizing Muyiwa Adejobi for arresting critics, she wrote, “Nigeria Police Force, I commend the IGP for this initiative. I request your attention to my case, which I believe warrants further investigation. Posts like this evoke memories of my experience. Can you assist me in inquiring why my case was transferred from Lagos to the IG Monitoring Unit, IRT, and then to NCCC? Was it due to an officer’s interest in my case, stemming from their relationship with Facebook members? Furthermore, I would appreciate it if you could help me ask this officer why I was declared wanted for offenses I did not commit, thus tarnishing my reputation.”

She continued, “This issue raises several questions about the officer’s actions. I am confident in seeking justice and will not be deterred from visiting Nigeria. Can you also help me inquire why the officer threatened to take action against me despite my innocence? Additionally, why was Tolulope Odegbami, aka Olowoshibi, granted unrestricted access to the officer’s office while other parties were denied a chance to present their side of the story? I firmly believe in speaking out against injustice and will continue to seek justice until my case is resolved.”

Dorcas expressed appreciation for Adeyanju Deji’s statement regarding her situation, recalling that he had previously represented a client involved in a similar matter. She concluded with praise for IGP Kayode Egbetokun, stating, “God bless the IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the work of your hands. IJN. Amen.”

In the video, Sowore mentioned that Dorcas was targeted by Adejobi for criticizing Adejobi’s girlfriend and that she had vowed never to return to Nigeria from the UK. In June 2024, SaharaReporters reported that the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in Adeyinka’s case, which was declared wanted by the police. CHSR, a corporate body that defends and promotes the cultural and fundamental human rights of citizens, called for urgent action to remove the blogger from the ‘wanted’ list.