Human-rights campaigner and former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (“NPF”) on Thursday morning at the grounds of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after attending a hearing.
According to multiple reports, Sowore, who is also publisher of the online outlet Sahara Reporters, was approached by armed police officers as he stood outside the court and informed that he was under arrest on the orders of the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He questioned the absence of an invitation and insisted his lawyer accompany him, but was escorted into a waiting police vehicle.
The police say the arrest was due to Sowore’s alleged role in leading protesters into a restricted area during the recent “#FreeNnamdiKanuNow” demonstration in Abuja, which followed a court order forbidding such gatherings in certain parts of the city. On Monday, Sowore had joined a protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the organisation Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, told journalists that statements from the 13 individuals arrested in connection with the protest named Sowore as the leader of the group who entered restricted zones, thus prompting his arrest. He added that Sowore would be prosecuted and likely arraigned within 24 hours.
Sowore and his legal team immediately protested the arrest, denouncing it as politically motivated and as undermining the independence of the judiciary. Rights lawyers described the action at the court premises as “preposterous”.
He has previously faced several charges, including allegations of forgery and cyber-bullying linked to the police leadership, which he has consistently described as “bogus and farcical”.
