Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by armed policemen at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after attending proceedings in solidarity with detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses reported that Sowore was accosted by security operatives as he exited the court premises. The officers, who declined to provide a written invitation or warrant, insisted that they were acting on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police at the Federal Capital Territory Command.
When questioned about the reason for the arrest, one of the officers reportedly stated, “The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office.”
Sowore, who demanded that his lawyer accompany him, was eventually taken away in a police van.
Confirming the development, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the arrest, describing it as “preposterous” and an attempt to undermine the judicial process.
“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 stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Sowore had earlier this week participated in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests in Abuja, demanding the release of the IPOB leader who remains in detention despite several court rulings ordering his release.
The protest led to the arrest and remand of Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, and several others at Kuje Prison. The police accused them of incitement, disturbance, and breach of public peace.
The matter has been slated for hearing on Friday, when the detained protesters are expected to take their plea.
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