**"Shades of Corruption: AGF and Police Team Up Against Sowore"** A recent move by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has sparked controversy in the Nigerian justice system. Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, is facing a forgery trial over allegations of conspiring to forge a police wireless message. However, what raises eyebrows is the decision to outsource his prosecution to a private law firm at taxpayers' expense. This development is part of a worrying trend that is quietly undermining the integrity of Nigeria's justice system. The police filed the case last year, citing that Sowore and Sahara Reporters conspired to create disaffection within the police force and incite officers against the government. But the real issue here lies in the outsourcing of public prosecution to private interests. According to Tope Temokun, Sowore's lawyer, this move is without constitutional and legal basis. He pointed out that the Attorney-General has a duty to review whether such proceedings still serve the public interest, prevent abuse of legal process, and promote justice. By handing over the prosecution to a private firm, the AGF risks turning public prosecution into a tool of political or personal retribution. This development is particularly concerning given the recent history of Sowore's cases. Under the former Inspector-General of Police, almost every criticism from Sowore sparked a barrage of criminal charges, leading to a backlog of cases in the Federal High Court in Abuja. This raises questions about the use of cybercrime legislation to silence critics and muzzle free speech. The outsourcing of public prosecution to private interests at taxpayers' expense is a worrisome trend that needs urgent attention. It is essential that our justice system upholds the principles of justice, fairness, and transparency. By allowing private interests to drive public prosecution, we risk undermining the very fabric of our democracy. As Temokun warned, "Public prosecution cannot become an unlimited outsourcing arrangement at taxpayers' expense without demonstrable national prosecutorial priority." It is time for the AGF and relevant authorities to reconsider this move and uphold the integrity of our justice system. The Nigerian people deserve nothing less.