Bauchi Governor’s Son Petitions IGP, Seeks Sowore’s Arrest
Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, requesting the arrest and prosecution of Sahara Reporters publisher and activist, Omoyele Sowore.
The petition is connected to Sowore’s continued calls for the release of Dr. Ahmad Abubakar, a Bauchi lecturer detained over a viral video.
Dr. Ahmad, who lectures at the Federal College of Horticulture, was arrested two weeks ago after sharing a video online that showed Shamsuddeen dancing with his wife.
The lecturer is currently facing trial at a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi, where a decision on his bail is pending.
In a petition dated June 26, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, H.S. Saraki of Saraki, Ahmed & Partners, Shamsuddeen accused Sowore of “persistently sharing and reposting” the video clip on social media and Sahara Reporters, despite ongoing court proceedings.
“We, Saraki, Ahmed & Partners, of No. 6 Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi, act on behalf of Alhaji Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, on whose mandate and express instructions we hereby submit this petition to the Inspector General of Police regarding the unlawful actions of Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” the petition stated.
The petition said the clip was private and shared without the consent of Shamsuddeen or his wife. It also alleged the video was accompanied by “defamatory commentary and falsehoods.”
“Mr. Sowore further accompanied the repost with malicious captions and statements designed to malign, defame, bully, and harass our client and his family, improperly seeking to influence public perception and the ongoing judicial process,” it read.
The petition referenced several sections of Nigerian law, including Section 24(1)(b) and Section 24(2) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, dealing with injurious communication and cyberbullying; Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act relating to defamation and falsehood; and Section 15(1) of the Cybercrimes Act for aiding and abetting a cybercrime. It also accused Sowore of contempt of court.
Shamsuddeen is asking the police to act through the Cybercrime Unit and prosecute Sowore under the listed legal provisions. The petition also asked the police to ensure equal enforcement of the law.
“We request that the Office of the IGP issue directives accordingly to ensure prompt investigation and prosecution. We affirm our readiness to provide judicial proceedings documents and further evidence upon request,” it said.
Separately, a group called the Good Governance for Development Association submitted a letter to the IGP, supporting Shamsuddeen’s petition and also calling for Sowore’s arrest.
The association’s letter, dated the same day and signed by its Director of Research and Statistics, Sternly Andrew, accused Sowore of using digital media to violate privacy and interfere with legal proceedings.
“Despite being aware of this pending case, Mr. Sowore has willfully and repeatedly reposted the same old video on his social media platforms and Sahara Reporters, and has gone further to add malicious and insulting commentary, directly attacking the personality and family of Alhaji Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed,” the group said.
The group called on the police to act and treat Sowore like any other citizen, saying justice should not consider one’s social standing or media influence.
“We urge the Nigeria Police Force to rise to the occasion and reaffirm its commitment to fairness, integrity, and justice,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore had not responded publicly to the petition.
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