Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was arrested on Thursday by armed police officers at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja. His arrest came shortly after he attended court in solidarity with detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said the officers, who were heavily armed, insisted that Sowore accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. When asked about the reason for the arrest, one officer reportedly said,
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office.”
Sowore, who questioned why there was no official letter of invitation, maintained that his lawyer must be present before he would go with the officers. He was eventually taken away in a police van.
Confirming the incident on X (formerly Twitter), human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the arrest, calling it “preposterous.”
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.
The police and the Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system.
He should be released immediately. Stop the shenanigans,” Effiong wrote.
Background
On Monday, October 20, Sowore led a protest in Abuja as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstrations that spread across several Nigerian cities. During the protest, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested and later remanded at Kuje Prison.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, the police accused the protesters of holding an unlawful demonstration, chanting war songs, and obstructing traffic. The FIR alleged that the group’s actions amounted to criminal conspiracy, incitement, and breach of public peace, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The report listed the accused as follows:
Aloy Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, and Godwill Obiama.
According to the police, the group’s protest—held in defiance of a court order—“threatened national security” while demanding Kanu’s release.
The court has scheduled Friday for the defendants to take their plea.
More details to follow…
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