On Thursday, security personnel detained Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and human rights activist, outside the Federal High Court in Abuja following his attendance at the court session for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sowore, a prominent advocate in the #FreeNnamdiKanu campaign, was reportedly approached by a group of armed police officers as he exited the courtroom where Kanu’s case was being heard. The officers requested that he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

When Sowore asked why he was being arrested, an officer responded that they were acting on instructions from the Commissioner of Police. The officer stated, “The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office.”

He contested the lawfulness of his arrest, citing the absence of a formal summons. Despite his objections and his request for legal counsel to be present, the activist was ultimately transported in a police van under strict security measures.

Sowore, publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, is known for his involvement in activism related to civil liberties. He recently organised the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, held in Abuja and other locations on Monday, which called for the release of the IPOB leader.

During the demonstration, 12 persons, including Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of the detained separatist leader, and Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers, were arrested by the police.

They were later charged in court and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before the Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, police accused the detained protesters of flouting a valid court order by organising the rally. According to the police, the demonstrators chanted war songs, obstructed vehicular movement, and disrupted public peace during the protest.

The FIR alleged that the group engaged in criminal conspiracy, incitement of disturbance, and breach of public peace, offences punishable under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

The charge sheet reads:“That on the 20th day of October, 2025, you (1). Barrister Aloy Ejimakor (2). Prince Emmanuel Kanu, (3). Joshua Emmanuel, (4). Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, (5). Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, (6). Clinton Chimeneze, (7). Gabriel Joshua, (8). Isiaka Husseini, (9). Onyekachi Ferdinand, (10). Amadi Prince, (11). Edison Ojisom and (12). Godwill Obiama, all male adults of FCT Abuja were arrested by a team of security agents in different locations within FCT while involving yourselves in inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, denying other citizens the freedom of movement, disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs and requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court in a manner that threatens national security. You thereby committed the above-mentioned offences.”

However, the Chief Magistrate Court has fixed Friday for the defendants to take their plea.

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