The Nigeria Police Force has offered an official explanation regarding the ongoing detention of human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. According to the Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, Sowore is being held in connection with two separate petitions, one involving the alleged forgery of a police document and the other concerning cyberbullying.
Shogunle addressed members of the public and the media during a press engagement in Abuja on Friday, as widespread protests demanding Sowore’s release erupted in various parts of the country, including Lagos, Osun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory. The Commissioner clarified that Sowore’s arrest followed his refusal to provide a statement during police interrogation, despite being shown the petitions in the presence of his legal team.
According to the CP, one of the petitions alleges that Sowore published a forged police document online. Under Nigerian law, the onus lies on the accused to disclose the source of such a sensitive document. The second petition reportedly involves acts of cyberbullying. Despite being presented with these claims in the presence of his lawyers, Sowore declined to make a statement, an act within his rights, but one that triggered further legal procedures under the Police Act.
Shogunle insisted that Sowore was not coerced into speaking and maintained that due legal process was being observed. He acknowledged that the activist’s refusal to make a statement necessitated his continued detention, adding that the police are following all constitutional protocols and professional standards. Responding to concerns about detaining Sowore beyond the constitutional 24-hour limit, Shogunle asserted that the law permits certain actions when a suspect declines to cooperate during investigation.
The Commissioner also offered to allow a few protesters to see Sowore in detention to verify that he had not been physically harmed, insisting that no form of brutality had been meted out to him. This statement comes on the heels of widespread outrage and viral images showing the activist with a visibly injured arm, allegedly resulting from being manhandled by heavily armed police personnel earlier this week.
Sowore’s recent activities have included leading protests for better welfare for retired police officers and criticizing a recent promotion exercise within the Nigeria Police Force. Many observers believe these actions may have contributed to the intensity of the police response. His arrest has since triggered the viral hashtag #EgbetokunMustGo, calling for the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
As the situation unfolds, public sentiment continues to grow, with many Nigerians and international observers calling for transparency, legal compliance, and the upholding of human rights in the treatment of the detained activist.
