…Why We Arrested Sowore 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
…Why We Arrested Sowore
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.
Why Sowore Was Arrested
The Nigerian Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said Sowore was arrested for violating a court order barring the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in some restricted areas of the Federal Capital Territory.
He confirmed that those arrested earlier disclosed that it was the former presidential candidate that led them to the protest ground.
“He was arrested in contravention of a court order. So, if we move from fair to charge some people to court and leave the person that led them to commit that more like their leader, the elite protester who told them and took them into the restricted area.
“And that is why in the spirit of fair play and to ensure that justice is served, Omoyele Showere was arrested today. And like the others too, he would not spend time with us, he would not spend up to 24 hours with us.
“Once, we wrap up the charges, he’s going to be prosecuted. In fact, if everything goes right, our plan is to ensure that he is prosecuted today. He goes to court today. That would be the latest on the Nnamdi Kanu protest.”
