Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore was arrested on Thursday within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, prompting fresh controversy over the use of force in judicial spaces.
According to police, the arrest followed Sowore’s appearance in solidarity with the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, and was tied to an alleged “contravention of a court order.” The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated:
“This arrest is in response to the breach of a subsisting court order relating to the Nnamdi Kanu protest.”
Eyewitnesses captured moments of the arrest, with Sowore reportedly questioning officers about the legality of their actions, saying: “Do you want to bundle me? No invitation letter.” He then entered the police vehicle as legal counsel followed him.
Sowore has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in the past for his activism, including over his role in the RevolutionNow movement. Amnesty International and other rights groups have repeatedly decried his detentions as assaults on free speech rights.
