Omoyele Sowore, an activist and publisher has been arrested by police at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
This happened immediately after appearing in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Sowore, who has been at the forefront of calls for Kanu’s release from detention, was apprehended by security personnel who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
When asked what his offence was, one of the policemen said that they were acting on the Commissioner of Police’s orders.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer said.
Although Sowore questioned the lack of a formal letter of invitation, he insisted that his lawyer join him before he was hauled away in a police van.
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, called Sowore’s detention “preposterous” in a post on his X account.
He wrote, “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.”
On Monday, October 20, Sowore spearheaded a protest in Abuja as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstrations, which expanded throughout the country.
During the rally, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and eleven others were arrested and later incarcerated in Kuje Prison.
The police argued in the First Information Report filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje that the defendants screamed war songs and blocked traffic during the #FreeNnamdiKanu rally, which they claimed was held in violation of a court order.
The police also said they engaged in criminal conspiracy, incited disruption, and violated public order, all of which are punishable under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
“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 the FCT, Abuja, were arrested by a team of security agents at various locations within the FCT for engaging in incitement, disturbance and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, thereby disrupting the free movement of citizens while chanting war songs and demanding 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 aforementioned offences.”
The court has fixed Friday for the defendants to take their plea on the charge.
SOURCE: PUNCH
