Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that the Nigeria Police Force has summoned him for questioning over a viral video allegedly exposing extortion at a police checkpoint in Lagos.
The outspoken activist and 2019 and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate raised the alarm on Thursday, claiming that police authorities are preparing charges against him for posting the controversial footage on social media.
Henzodaily reports that the video shows Nigerian police officers stopping vehicles on the road, including Sowore’s.
He confronted the officers, criticizing them for creating unnecessary traffic on the airport road. Sowore emphasized that their actions were inappropriate and disruptive.
In the video, Sowore is heard saying, “We are not parking. You are not supposed to be causing traffic on the airport road. We are not parking. Go and bring your Oga. You people should calm down.”
Sowore stated that the video highlights the pervasive issue of corruption within police operations, particularly at checkpoints, where officers are often accused of extorting motorists.
The former presidential candidate in an image shared on Thursday appeared alongside his lawyer, Dele Adeyanju, as they prepared to honour the police invitation.
Taking to his Facebook page, Sowore stated, “I have just concluded a conversation with the senior Nigeria Police Force officer in Abuja, who requested my presence for questioning regarding an extortion video I did at a police ‘checkpoint’ in Lagos, which prompted the police hierarchy to launch a manhunt for me. He informed me that the ‘charges’ are not yet prepared. I am still awaiting.”