*To Be Arraigned With 12 Others On Friday, Oct. 24
*Lawyer Says Denied Access To Activist
THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the arrest of activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, saying it was necessary to ensure fairness in the prosecution of those involved in the free Kanu protest on Monday, October 20, in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that Sowore was taken into custody for allegedly leading demonstrators into a restricted area during a rally in solidarity with detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Hundeyin said the Police acted to guarantee that justice was applied equally to everyone connected with the protest, adding: “If we charge some people to court and leave out the person who led them into that restricted area, the one who directed and guided them there, that would not be fair.
“In the spirit of fair play and to ensure justice is served, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today.”
He said Sowore’s detention would not exceed legal limits, as the activist is expected to be arraigned the same day, adding: “Like the others, he won’t spend up to 24 hours in custody.
“Once we finalise the charges, he’ll be taken to court. In fact, our plan is to have him prosecuted today.”
From all indications, Sowore, who was arrested on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after showing up in solidarity with Kanu, may be arraigned with others arrested over Monday’s protest on Friday, October 24.
Those earlier over the protest, including Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor; his brother, Emmanuel Kanu; and 10 others were arrested and subsequently remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
In the First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, the Police alleged that the defendants, during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, which it said was held in defiance of a court order, chanted war songs and disrupted the free flow of traffic.
The Police further alleged that they engaged in criminal conspiracy, incited disturbance and caused a breach of public peace, offences punishable under Sections 152, 114 and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The FIR states: “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 the FCT, Abuja, were arrested by a team of security agents at various locations within the FCT for engaging in incitement, disturbance and breach of public peace, in disobedience to a court order, thereby disrupting the free movement of citizens, 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.
“You, thereby committed the aforementioned offences.”
The court has fixed Friday,October 24, for the defendants to take their plea on the charge.
The former presidential candidate and publisher of SaharaReporters, a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release and leader of the protest,
Sowore had earlier posted on his Facebook page that he was with Kanu Agabi, the now disengaged lead Counsel for the IPOB leader.
He later wrote on X: “Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong.”
Meanwhile, his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said he was being denied access to his client, who was meant to appear in court for a case presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, which he had described as a “bogus and farcical” charge of alleged forgery of a police wireless message.
Adeyanju, who arrived at the FCT Command to see his client, said Police authorities refused to grant him access.
Adeyanju, on an X post, wrote: “I have been denied access to my client Omoyele Sowore at the FCT Command by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of CID.”
Another human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in his reaction, condemned the arrest, describing it as unlawful and an embarrassment to the country’s judicial process.
He wrote on X: “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.
“The Police and the (President Bola) Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system.”
Effiong, while demanded Sowore’s immediate release, warning against continued intimidation of activists in the country.
