By Ayo Ayodele
The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reason behind the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), at a court premises in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore was arrested for allegedly leading protesters into a restricted area, in violation of a subsisting court order.
Hundeyin told journalists on Thursday that the activist’s arrest followed statements by 13 individuals earlier apprehended, who claimed that Sowore led them into the prohibited zone.
“It would be unjust to prosecute those previously arrested and exempt the person alleged to have led them,” Hundeyin said, adding that Sowore would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
According to him, eight protesters were first arrested on Monday near the Transcorp Hilton, while five others were picked up around the Ministry of Finance, bringing the total number to thirteen.
The police spokesman maintained that the protest breached an existing restriction order meant to preserve public order within the Federal Capital Territory.