By Our Reporter
Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by armed policemen shortly after attending a court session in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore, a known campaigner for Kanu’s release, was accosted by security operatives who insisted he must accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When asked about the reason for his arrest, one of the officers reportedly said they were acting on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, adding: “The commissioner said we should bring you to the office.”
Sowore, who questioned the absence of a formal invitation and demanded to be accompanied by his lawyer, was eventually taken away in a police van.
The activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters had earlier joined a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and other parts of the country on Monday. During that protest, police arrested 12 persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and one of his lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, who are now remanded at Kuje Prison.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, police accused the protesters of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance. The FIR alleged they chanted war songs, disrupted traffic, and violated a court order, offences said to contravene sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The court has fixed Friday for the arraignment of the defendants, though it remains unclear whether Sowore will be added to the charge.