Armed policemen on Thursday arrested human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, within the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has been one of the leading voices calling for Kanu’s release, was whisked away by security operatives who insisted he must accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
When questioned by journalists on the reason for the arrest, one of the police officers said they were acting on “orders from the Commissioner of Police.”
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” one officer reportedly told Sowore before he was taken away.
Sowore, however, demanded that his lawyer accompany him, stressing that no formal invitation had been issued to him prior to the arrest.
Confirming the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the arrest as “preposterous,” saying it makes “a mockery of Nigeria’s judicial system.”
“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 on October 20 led a peaceful protest in Abuja as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations, which later spread to other parts of the country.
During the protest, Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel Kanu, his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and several others were arrested and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, the police accused the defendants of engaging in criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and causing a breach of public peace — offences punishable under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The report alleged that the protesters defied a court order, chanted war songs, and disrupted the free flow of traffic during the Abuja rally demanding Kanu’s release.
The court has fixed Friday for the defendants to take their plea.
Just In: Police arrest Sowore in court
