Policemen on Thursday arrested former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shortly after he attended court proceedings for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore, who has been a vocal supporter of Kanu’s release, was reportedly accosted by security operatives within the court premises.
The officers insisted that he must accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When asked the reason for his arrest, one of the policemen stated that 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.
Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, demanded to know why no official invitation had been issued to him and insisted that his lawyer must accompany him before being taken away in a police van.
It will be recalled that Sowore was among the organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and several other parts of the country on Monday.
The protest called for the release of the IPOB leader, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court.
During the demonstration, police arrested 12 persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and one of his lawyers, Barrister Alloy Ejimakor.
The suspects were later remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, police alleged that the protesters acted in defiance of a subsisting court order by disrupting traffic and chanting war songs.
The report further stated that the defendants were involved in criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace, offences punishable under sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The charge reads in part: “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 FCT Abuja, were arrested by a team of security agents at various locations within the FCT while involving yourselves in inciting disturbance and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, disrupting the free flow of traffic 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.”
The court has fixed Friday for the arraignment of the 12 defendants. It remains uncertain whether the charges will be amended to include Sowore following his arrest.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
