…allege false asset declaration
By Sarah NEGEDU
A group of Abuja-based lawyers have petitioned the Attorney General of New York State, United States, demanding a full investigation into the financial activities of Sahara Media Group Incorporated and its founder, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged fund diversion, false asset declaration, and tax violations.
The petition, dated October 7, 2025, and submitted at the United States Embassy in Abuja, was filed on behalf of the lawyers by Heartland Advisors & Solicitors.
The document which was signed by Barristers Sunday Oluwole and Felix Olanrewaju Wolemiwa, sought the suspension or invalidation of Sowore’s U.S. travel documents.
They urged the U.S. authorities to “examine the financial records of Sahara Media Group Inc. including that of MacArthur Foundation grant, for compliance with New York nonprofit laws. The lawyers also want the state to investigate whether funds raised by the company were used for their intended charitable purposes or diverted to personal or political activities, and review Mr. Sowore’s individual and corporate tax filings for compliance with U.S. tax laws.
The petition titled “Request for Investigation into Financial Activities of Sahara Media Group Inc. and Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” stated that the action was triggered by “concerns about potential discrepancies in nonprofit financial reporting, tax compliance, and asset declarations, which may impact both U.S. and Nigerian public interests.”
The lawyers noted that Sowore, a former presidential candidate and activist, operates Sahara Media Group Inc., which runs Sahara Reporters, adding that “public records raise questions about the organization’s financial transparency and Mr. Sowore’s personal financial disclosures, particularly given his political activities abroad.”
They alleged that the company received a $1.3 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation between 2016 and 2019 for journalist training in Nigeria but provided “limited public reporting on the utilization of these funds,” contrary to New York nonprofit laws that demand transparency and proper use of charitable funds.
The lawyers also cited alleged inconsistencies in Sowore’s asset declaration to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in 2023, where he reportedly listed a single Nigerian property valued at N5million and a 2008 Toyota Camry, despite public records indicating ownership of a U.S. property valued at about $552,000 purchased around 2018.
“This raises questions about potential concealment of assets or perjury under Nigerian law, with possible U.S. tax implications if unreported,” the petition read.
On Sowore’s reported lifestyle and financial capacity, the petition further claimed that his son attends Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey, with an annual tuition of about $59,235, alongside his political campaign spending in Nigeria-expenditures the lawyers said “appear inconsistent with the reported financial capacity of Sahara Media Group Inc., which operates primarily as a media outlet.”
They added that “in 2018, GoFundMe temporarily suspended a $2 million fundraiser for Mr. Sowore’s ‘Take Back Nigeria Movement’ due to concerns about its purpose,” a development they said warrants “scrutiny to ensure funds raised in New York comply with charitable solicitation laws.”
Concluding their appeal, the petitioners urged the New York Attorney General to exercise oversight powers under nonprofit laws to “examine Sahara Media Group Inc.’s financial records, investigate possible diversion of funds, review Sowore’s tax filings, and suspend or invalidate his U.S. travel documents.”
“This request is made in good faith to promote accountability and transparency, protecting the integrity of nonprofit operations in New York and public trust in cross-border political activities,” they stated.
