(DDM) – A coalition of Abuja-based lawyers has petitioned the Attorney General of New York, United States, seeking a comprehensive investigation into the financial dealings of Sahara Media Group Incorporated and its founder, Omoyele Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the petition was formally submitted through Heartland Advisors & Solicitors to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on October 7, 2025, calling for a review of Sowore’s financial records, nonprofit compliance, and asset declarations.
The petition, signed by Barristers Sunday Oluwole and Felix Olanrewaju Wolemiwa, further urged the U.S. authorities to suspend or revoke Sowore’s American travel documents pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the legal team, Sahara Media Group, a New York-registered entity operating Sahara Reporters, may have violated New York nonprofit and tax laws, particularly concerning grants, income sources, and the possible misuse of charitable funds.
The lawyers titled their submission: “Request for Investigation into Financial Activities of Sahara Media Group Inc. and Mr. Omoyele Sowore.”
They claimed that their concerns were driven by “potential discrepancies in nonprofit financial reporting, tax compliance, and asset declarations that could affect both U.S. and Nigerian interests.”
The petitioners referenced a $1.3 million grant received from the MacArthur Foundation between 2016 and 2019 for journalist training in Nigeria.
They noted that there has been limited public disclosure regarding how those funds were used, which they said raises questions about compliance with nonprofit transparency standards under New York law.
In addition, the petitioners drew attention to alleged inconsistencies in Sowore’s asset declarations to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 Nigerian elections.
They pointed out that Sowore reportedly declared ownership of only one property worth ₦5 million and a 2008 Toyota Camry, whereas public U.S. records allegedly show that he purchased a property valued at about $552,000 in 2018.
The lawyers argued that such discrepancies could indicate concealment of assets or perjury under Nigerian law, while also potentially violating U.S. tax and disclosure regulations.
They further cited Sowore’s lifestyle, including the reported $59,000 annual tuition fee for his son’s education at Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey, as grounds for suspicion about his declared earnings and financial transparency.
The petition also referenced a 2018 GoFundMe campaign linked to Sowore’s “Take Back Nigeria Movement,” which was temporarily suspended after questions arose about its purpose and use of donations.
The lawyers insisted that such instances justify a deeper audit of Sahara Media Group’s financial statements, including the MacArthur Foundation grant, to determine whether funds were used for their intended charitable purposes.
They also called on the New York Attorney General to:
1. Audit the company’s accounts and grants, especially the MacArthur Foundation funds.
2. Investigate whether the organization’s operations complied with nonprofit regulations.
3. Examine Sowore’s tax filings for possible violations of U.S. tax codes.
4. Suspend or revoke his travel documents pending the conclusion of the probe.
The petitioners stressed that their action was undertaken “in good faith” to promote financial accountability, transparency, and public trust in transnational nonprofit organizations.
According to them, the objective is not political persecution but to ensure that individuals and institutions managing public-interest funds remain subject to international standards of accountability.
Sowore, a well-known Nigerian activist, journalist, and former presidential candidate, has not yet officially responded to the petition.
He has often faced controversies over his activism, media operations, and funding sources, especially regarding Sahara Reporters’ hard-hitting investigations into Nigerian political corruption and governance.
As of press time, U.S. authorities have not issued any formal response to the petition, though sources familiar with transnational nonprofit compliance told DDM that such petitions can trigger a formal financial review or a preliminary inquiry depending on the documentation provided.
Analysts suggest that this development could intensify scrutiny on Nigerian-owned nonprofit and media organizations operating abroad, especially those registered in the United States.
If acted upon, the case could test U.S.-Nigeria cooperation on transparency, anti-corruption, and nonprofit regulation, highlighting the growing intersection between activism, media finance, and global accountability standards.
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