Former Presidential Candidate Sowore Does Not Have NYSC Certificate, Police Declares

Former Presidential Candidate Sowore Does Not Have NYSC Certificate, Police Declares

  • Olohundare Jimoh, Lagos State Commissioner of Police alleged that activist Omoyele Sowore evaded NYSC after being posted to Adamawa State sparking fresh controversy
  • Commissioner Jimoh defended his competence and authority amid Sowore’s criticism saying the activist had created unnecessary tension across Lagos
  • Police claimed Sowore lacked an NYSC discharge certificate and demanded he appear before the DCIID for questioning over alleged evasion of national service

Olohundare Jimoh, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, has alleged that former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, does not possess a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

Furthermore, the Police claimed that he absconded from service after being posted to Adamawa state.

Lagos Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu alleges that activist Omoyele Sowore evades NYSC after being posted to Adamawa State, sparking fresh controversy.
Commissioner Olatunji Disu of Lagos Police accuses Omoyele Sowore of dodging his NYSC duty in Adamawa State, igniting a new round of debate. Photo credit: Omoyele Sowore
Source: Facebook

The Commissioner made the assertion during a television interview with Channels and shared via X, while responding to criticisms levelled against the police by Sowore.

CP defends competence and authority

Commissioner Jimoh dismissed Sowore’s claims that he was not competent to lead the Lagos Command.

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“I am very competent. I have been here for more than nine months. Even in court, where an accused person shows good conduct, the prosecution has the right to act within the law," he said.

He also justified the police actions taken against Sowore, stating that the activist had created “unnecessary tension” in the state.

Police allege NYSC evasion

The Commissioner maintained that Sowore does not possess an NYSC discharge certificate, alleging that the activist failed to complete the mandatory national service.

“He was posted to Adamawa and he absconded. He never did the service. Such a person, who is not qualified to bear the NYSC certificate of our great country, Nigeria, cannot be calling out misconduct or disturbing the peace of Lagos. We will not allow it," he claimed.

Police demand Sowore’s appearance

According to Jimoh, Sowore has been asked to present himself to the police for questioning.

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Lagos Police boss Olatunji Disu claims that Sowore fails to complete his NYSC in Adamawa State, a move that triggers renewed controversy.
Activist Omoyele Sowore is accused by Lagos Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu of abandoning his NYSC posting in Adamawa, fuelling fresh public outrage. Photo credit: @PoliceNG
Source: Twitter
“My pronouncement stands. He is declared wanted and should report at the DCIID for further investigation,” the Commissioner said.

Police: Why we declared Sowore wanted

Omoyele Sowore, wanted over what it described as an alleged plan to incite public disorder and obstruct major highways across the state.

According to CP Jimoh, intelligence reports linked Sowore and his associates to plans for coordinated demonstrations at key locations, including the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.

The comments come amid rising tensions between Sowore and the Lagos State Police Command following protests and public criticism by the activist. Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has not yet officially responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Court fixes date to hear Sowore vs Police suit

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the suit filed by the police against Omoyele Sowore and others arrested for protesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

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Sowore and others were expected to appear before the court and argue why the court's earlier interim order should be vacated.

The AAC 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate was arrested alongside Kanu's lawyer and brother during the protest based on a court injunction banning the protest.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a Reuters-certified journalist with over 5 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos. Currently, he is the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng, where he brings his expertise to provide incisive, impactful coverage of national events. Ezra was recognized as Best Campus Journalist at the Anchor University Communications Awards in 2019 and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944