Omoyele Sowore Criticizes Cultural Cleansing, Defends Rights as Trial Delays and Police Bill Debate Continue

Omoyele Sowore state police bill defamation trial DSS Oloolu masquerade

Human‑rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the traditional "cleansing" ritual performed on TikTok creator Wasilat after she was accused of filming the Oloolu masquerade in Ibadan, calling the practice an abuse of human dignity and urging that any cultural customs that oppress or discriminate be abandoned.

Sowore also warned that the proposed state police bill is being rushed ahead of the 2027 general elections. He argued the legislation represents a major constitutional change that should be debated publicly and postponed until after the elections to avoid interference with the electoral process.

Meanwhile, Sowore’s defamation case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) remains unresolved. The trial has been repeatedly stalled after senior lawyers for the defence and the prosecution clashed over an adjournment request for certified court documents. The DSS has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to foreclose Sowore’s defence, alleging he is deliberately frustrating the proceedings, while the defence maintains the delay is due to registry issues.

Entities: Adeyinka Olumide‑Fusika · Akinlolu Kehinde · Department of State Services (DSS) · Justice Mohammed Umar · Oluwatosin Ajayi · Omoyele Sowore · President Bola Tinubu · State Police Bill · Wasilat

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] Sowore said the state police bill is being rushed and lacks proper parliamentary procedure and public debate. (05be1d1f-ae1c-45c9-a47f-5b891f939a6b, e5e333e9-1dc9-449b-93f7-45200740d593)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The court warned the lawyers against further misconduct and threatened disciplinary action. (90cfcfb4-0a60-42d8-b3d3-63f5f3f7219c)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sowore said cultural practices that oppress or discriminate should be abandoned. (c84f72dd-5205-4d0b-809f-dc38d203caef, e4dabb81-3fda-495d-93f3-1e1283ba8a62)
[○ 1 SOURCE] DSS counsel asked the Federal High Court to foreclose Sowore’s defence, alleging he was deliberately frustrating the trial. (0ebcdfc2-37a8-469f-840a-cb54c46d4ea3)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sowore warned that the state police bill should be delayed until after the 2027 elections. (05be1d1f-ae1c-45c9-a47f-5b891f939a6b, e5e333e9-1dc9-449b-93f7-45200740d593)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sowore’s trial was stalled after senior lawyers for the defence and the prosecution clashed over an adjournment request for certified court documents. (90cfcfb4-0a60-42d8-b3d3-63f5f3f7219c, 4b2b0fc3-05e4-4fa1-916e-25e4d2ee302e)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Department of State Services is prosecuting Sowore for alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement over posts calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal”. (0ebcdfc2-37a8-469f-840a-cb54c46d4ea3)
[● 2 SOURCES] Omoyele Sowore condemned the traditional cleansing ritual performed on TikTok creator Wasilat after she was accused of filming the Oloolu masquerade. (c84f72dd-5205-4d0b-809f-dc38d203caef, e4dabb81-3fda-495d-93f3-1e1283ba8a62)