The Nigeria Police Force has clarified the reason behind the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Wednesday, October 23.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Sowore was taken into custody for allegedly leading protesters into a restricted area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in violation of an existing court order. Hundeyin stated that the activist would face charges once the ongoing investigation is completed.
“Today, Omoyele Sowore was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force. The reason is simple — the thirteen individuals earlier arrested all confirmed that Sowore led them into the restricted area, clearly breaching the court’s directive,” he said.
He explained that it would be unfair to prosecute the previously arrested protesters while leaving out the person alleged to have led them.
Hundeyin further revealed that eight individuals were arrested on Monday during the ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu’ protest in front of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, while five others were apprehended near the Ministry of Finance, making a total of thirteen suspects.
“They were arraigned the next day and did not spend up to 24 hours in custody,” he added, noting that Sowore would also be arraigned soon.
The police spokesman emphasized that the protest violated a restriction order issued to preserve public order in specific parts of the capital.
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