The Nigerian police in Abuja arrested well-known human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, shortly after he appeared at the Federal High Court on Thursday.
Sowore’s arrest comes days after he participated in protests demanding the release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
On the day of the arrest, Sowore was at the Federal High Court for a scheduled appearance regarding a farcical charge of alleged forgery of a police wireless message. The arrest occurs shortly after Sowore and other activists held a protest in Abuja, urging the government to release Nnamdi Kanu, an event that led to the prior detention of Kanu’s brother and lawyer.
Sowore and his legal team view the arrest as an unwarranted application of state power intended to suppress protesters. His online publication, Sahara Reporters, alleged the arrest was ordered by the FCT Commissioner of Police. The media outlet also questioned the motives behind the sudden detention, emphasizing that the underlying forgery charge is “bogus.”
Although the police have not formally stated the new charge for his detention, the action occurs within the framework of security operations designed to manage public order and enforce laws, including addressing the pre-existing charge of alleged forgery.
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