The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his role in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja earlier this week.
Sowore, a well-known advocate for democracy and civic freedoms, was reportedly arrested shortly after leaving the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, where he was to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on what he described as a “bogus and farcical” forgery charge. The judge, however, was not sitting on that day.
According to sources, a police officer approached the activist outside the court premises and informed him that he was being arrested on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). His lawyer, Tope Temokun, later confirmed that the arrest was allegedly tied to Sowore’s participation in a protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters, police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said Sowore’s arrest was linked to his alleged role in leading protesters into a “restricted area” during the Monday demonstration — an act the police claim violated an existing court order.
“Sowore has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested — the reason is straightforward. The thirteen people previously arrested all mentioned that Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin said.
He added that the arrest was meant to ensure fairness and equal application of the law. “If we move from there to charge some people to court and leave the person who led them to commit that act, that would not be fair. The law must apply equally,” he stated.
Hundeyin further assured that Sowore’s detention would be within the limits prescribed by law, noting that the activist would be arraigned promptly. “Like the others, he wouldn’t spend time with us. He wouldn’t 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’s prosecuted today,” he said.
Earlier in the week, thirteen protesters were arrested in connection with the same demonstration — eight near the Transcorp area and five others around the Ministry of Finance. All were arraigned within 24 hours, and the police intend to follow the same procedure with Sowore.
This latest arrest adds to a growing list of confrontations between Sowore and Nigerian authorities. In January, he was detained for referring to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as an “illegal IGP” on social media — a remark that led to 17 counts of alleged cybercrime offenses being filed against him.
Human rights observers have criticized the arrest, describing it as another instance of state intimidation against activists and a worrying trend of shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
Sowore, the publisher of SaharaReporters and a vocal critic of government repression, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions since his 2019 “RevolutionNow” campaign calling for sweeping political reforms.
His legal team maintains that his activism remains peaceful and constitutionally protected, while civil society groups are calling for his immediate release and the dropping of all politically motivated charges.