The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the Abuja Federal High Court and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over an ex-parte order to investigate the bank accounts of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters.
HURIWA described the charges of terrorism sponsorship against Sowore as “senseless, unreasonable, nebulous, unsubstantiated, and malicious.” The group accused the IGP of waging a personal vendetta against Sowore, using public funds and the instrument of his office in an oppressive and distasteful manner.
The controversy surrounds a Federal High Court order, granted on an ex-parte application by the IGP’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, directing six commercial banks to furnish the IGP with Sowore’s full account details and transaction records from January 2024 to date. The police claimed Sowore was under investigation for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, and other fraudulent activities.
HURIWA questioned the rationale behind the IGP’s actions, particularly given Sowore’s vocal criticism of the IGP’s extension of service beyond the retirement age. The group argued that this was a clear case of abuse of power and misuse of public funds.
“We condemn the Federal High Court for enabling the IGP’s illegal trials of Omoyele Sowore on phantom charges,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko. “The President should immediately intervene and stop the IGP from misusing public funds for personal battles.”
HURIWA maintained that the IGP’s actions were a gross abuse of power and an affront to the Constitution, which stipulates that government must eradicate all traces of abuse of office and misuse of power.
The group called on the President to take immediate action to stop the IGP’s alleged vendetta against Sowore and ensure that public funds are not used for personal battles.
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,
National Coordinator,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). August 27th 2025.
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