Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has formally reported the theft of his AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses to the Nigeria Police Force, accusing the institution of shielding the identified suspect, despite clear video evidence.
The glasses were snatched during a peaceful protest held on July 21, 2025, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. The incident, caught on video, allegedly shows Aku Victor Chiemerie, a cameraman with the police, taking the glasses in full public view.
In a press release issued by Tope Temokun Chambers, Sowore’s legal representatives, it was confirmed that he honoured a police invitation and submitted a formal statement regarding the incident. The statement emphasized that despite supplying the police with substantial information—including the suspect’s full name, phone number, and National Identification Number—there has been no arrest or official response from the police.
“Our client has dutifully honoured the invitation of the Nigeria Police and made a formal statement regarding the brazen theft of his AI Ray-Ban eyeglasses,” the statement reads.
The lawyers expressed concern over the police’s inaction, describing it as a “deliberate cover-up” and a “betrayal of public trust.” They further noted that the suspect is believed to be actively working within the police force and, according to Sowore’s brief, possibly acted under the instruction of ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
“Despite petitions to the appropriate divisions, including the Asokoro Police Division responsible for the protest area, and despite supplying all identification details, the suspect has neither been questioned nor arrested,” the legal team stated. “This silence amounts to injustice.”
According to the petition filed on July 24, the stolen glasses were not only medically prescribed but embedded with artificial intelligence features, containing sensitive data and valued at over ₦1,000,000.
“The glasses house AI functionalities and contain private correspondence and recordings,” the lawyers added, warning of the potential breach of Sowore’s privacy.
Video footage of the incident, widely circulated online, reportedly shows Chiemerie—allegedly under police protection—snatching the glasses during the protest. The protest itself was part of a broader demonstration involving Sowore, other activists, and retired police officers advocating for better welfare and retirement benefits for police personnel.
Temokun’s statement urged the police to either immediately arrest Aku Victor Chiemerie or publicly declare their inability to do so.
“No citizen should feel that justice is a privilege reserved for members of the uniformed elite. If the Police cannot act on such clear evidence, it raises serious questions about the rule of law in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
Sowore’s legal team warned that continued inaction would be interpreted as official complicity, calling on civil society and the international community to pay attention to what they termed “an assault on justice.”
