Reactions trail Sowore’s arrest in Abuja

Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, found himself in police custody once again on Thursday after operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The arrest has triggered widespread condemnation from lawyers and civil rights advocates, who described it as another attempt to silence dissent and undermine Nigeria’s justice system.

The incident was first disclosed by Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who took to the social media platform X to decry what he called a

“shameful abuse of power” by the police and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Effiong 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.”

Before his arrest, Sowore had posted on Facebook that he was at the Federal High Court to meet Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to him, Agabi informed him that his legal team had decided to withdraw from Kanu’s ongoing trial, leaving the separatist leader temporarily without legal representation.

The revelation reportedly caused tension within the courtroom before police officers moved in and took Sowore away.

As of press time, the reason for the arrest remains unclear, and police authorities have yet to issue an official statement.

However, sources close to the activist believe the move may be linked to his outspoken criticism of government policies and his continued advocacy for democratic reforms.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and prominent social justice campaigner, has been arrested several times in the past for his activism. His most notable detention occurred in 2019 following the “RevolutionNow” protests against bad governance in Nigeria.

Several civil society groups and human rights organizations have demanded his immediate release, condemning his arrest within a court premises a place symbolic of justice as a grave assault on the rule of law.