In a dramatic scene on Thursday, Nigerian activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore was arrested by armed police officers at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Omoyele Sowore arrested incident occurred shortly after he arrived in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Eyewitnesses said police officers approached Sowore and demanded that he accompany them to the FCT Police Command. When he asked for the reason, one officer replied that they acted on the Commissioner of Police’s orders.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer told Sowore.
Despite objecting to the lack of a formal invitation, Sowore agreed to follow them after insisting that his lawyer join him. A police van then took him away.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong confirmed the arrest on X (formerly Twitter). He condemned the action as “preposterous” and accused the police and the Tinubu administration of undermining the judiciary.
“He should be freed immediately. Stop the shenanigans,” Effiong wrote.
The arrest followed a protest he led on October 20 in Abuja under the #FreeNnamdiKanu campaign. The demonstration, which spread to other cities, led to the arrest of Aloy Ejimakor (Kanu’s lawyer), Emmanuel Kanu (his brother), and ten others. Authorities later remanded them at Kuje Prison.
According to a First Information Report filed at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, police alleged that the protesters violated a court order. Police accused them of chanting war songs, blocking traffic, and engaging in criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance, offenses under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The report listed twelve individuals, including Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu, arrested in different parts of Abuja for allegedly threatening national security while calling for Kanu’s release.
The court scheduled the arraignment for Friday.
