Armed policemen on Thursday arrested activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has consistently called for Kanu’s release, was reportedly accosted by security operatives who insisted he must accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When he demanded to know his offence, one of the officers stated that they were acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer reportedly told him.
Sowore questioned the absence of a formal invitation letter and insisted that his lawyer must accompany him. He was eventually taken away in a police van.
Confirming the incident in a post on X, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, described the arrest as “preposterous,” accusing the police and the Tinubu administration of undermining the judiciary.
“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 freed immediately,” Effiong wrote.
Sowore’s arrest comes days after he led a protest in Abuja on October 20 as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstrations that spread to several parts of the country.
During the protest, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, the police accused the protesters of engaging in criminal conspiracy, incitement, and breach of public peace — offences said to violate Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The court has fixed Friday for the arraignment of the detained protesters.
More details later…