Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore was arrested on Thursday by armed police officers at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after attending proceedings in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore, who has been a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release, was confronted by security operatives as he exited the courtroom. The officers informed him that they had been directed by the Commissioner of Police to bring him to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
When he asked for a formal invitation letter, Sowore insisted that his lawyer accompany him before agreeing to go with the officers. He was later taken away in a police van.
Confirming the arrest on social media, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the development, describing it as “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 freed immediately. Stop the shenanigans,” Effiong wrote.
Sowore had earlier led a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20 — one of several demonstrations calling for Kanu’s release across the country.
Reacting to the arrest, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said it was carried out to ensure fairness in handling those involved in Monday’s protest.
According to Hundeyin, Sowore allegedly led demonstrators into a restricted area, an action the police said violated established protocols.
“If we charge some protesters to court and leave out the person who led them into the restricted area — their leader, the elite protester — that would not be fair,” Hundeyin said.
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“In the spirit of fairness and justice, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today.”
He added that Sowore would not be held beyond the legally permissible period and was expected to be arraigned in court later on Thursday.
> “He wouldn’t spend up to 24 hours with us. Once the charges are ready, he’ll be prosecuted immediately,” Hundeyin said.
