Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after attending proceedings involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, a vocal campaigner for Kanu’s release, was intercepted by security operatives who insisted he follow them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. When questioned on the reason for his arrest, one of the officers simply stated that they were “acting on the orders of the Commissioner of Police.”
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer told Sowore.
Despite challenging the arrest and demanding a formal letter of invitation, the Sahara Reporters publisher eventually agreed to move with the police on the condition that his lawyer accompany him. He was later driven away in a police van.
Sowore’s arrest comes just days after he joined other activists in organizing the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, which held across Abuja and several cities last Monday. During the protest, twelve persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and one of his lawyers, Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, were arrested and remanded in Kuje Prison.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the police alleged that the arrested protesters defied a subsisting court order by organizing the rally, chanting war songs, and obstructing traffic.
According to the FIR, the defendants were accused of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and disturbing public peace, in violation of Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The court is expected to take the plea of the defendants on Friday, though it remains unclear whether Sowore will be added to the list of accused persons.
The development has sparked fresh criticism among civil rights advocates, who view the arrest as another attempt to stifle dissent and intimidate voices calling for justice in the ongoing trial of the IPOB leader.
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