Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by armed policemen shortly after appearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has been a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release, was accosted outside the court premises by security operatives who insisted he must follow them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When questioned on the reason for the arrest, one of the officers said,
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office.”
Despite protesting the absence of a formal invitation and insisting that his lawyer accompany him, Sowore was taken away in a police van.
The activist, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, had recently mobilised for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and several other cities on Monday.
During the protest, 12 persons, including Kanu’s brother Emmanuel Kanu and one of his lawyers Aloy Ejimakor, were arrested and remanded at Kuje Prison.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the police accused the protesters of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace — offences punishable under sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
According to the charge, the protesters allegedly disobeyed a court order, chanted war songs, and disrupted traffic, demanding the release of Kanu “in a manner that threatens national security.”
The court has fixed Friday for the arraignment of the 12 defendants. It remains unclear whether Sowore will be added to the charge.
