Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Human Rights Activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by security operatives at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore had championed the October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful march in Abuja, during which Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor; and 10 other protesters were arrested.
The heavily armed police officers who arrested Sowore insisted that he must accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
When Sowore demanded to know his offense, one of the officers reportedly told him they were acting on the orders of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer was quoted as saying.
Although Sowore questioned the absence of a formal letter of invitation, he insisted that his lawyer must accompany him before he was eventually taken away in a police van.
Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, confirmed the arrest via a post on his X handle, describing it as “preposterous.”
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.
The police and the Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system. He should be freed immediately. Stop the shenanigans,” Effiong wrote.
