- Sowore Arrested at Abuja Court.
- Police linked the arrest to his #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.
- He had earlier planned to honour a police invitation before his arrest.
Human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by security operatives at the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Sowore, who led the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday, had reportedly escaped arrest earlier in the week when police officers rounded up several demonstrators during the march. Thirteen protesters, including Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and lawyer, were detained during the protest that called for Kanu’s immediate release.
Before the demonstration, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command had issued a warning against protests near restricted areas in the city. However, Sowore insisted that peaceful protest was a constitutional right, stating, “It is my right to protest. No one should be arrested for demanding justice or calling for the release of a political prisoner.”
Daily Trust reported that a video from the court showed Sowore speaking with Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Nnamdi Kanu’s lead counsel, shortly before Agabi’s legal team withdrew from the case. Sowore later posted on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), “I met with Kanu Agabi, who said his team will withdraw from Kanu’s case. He believes the whole process is political.”
As Sowore exited the courtroom, police officers reportedly approached and asked him to accompany them to the station. Eyewitnesses said there was a brief argument before he agreed to go with the officers.
One of his associates confirmed the arrest, describing it as unnecessary. “The Commissioner of Police had already invited him, and he planned to honour the invitation. I don’t understand the urgency,” the associate said.
As of the time of this report, the reason for Sowore’s detention remains unclear, though sources suggest it may be linked to his role in Monday’s protest and defiance of police orders.
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