Sowore’s Incarceration Sparks Nationwide Condemnation, Rights Outcry
Sowore’s Incarceration Sparks Nationwide Condemnation, Rights Outcry
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was released on Friday night after spending over 48 hours in police custody at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in what he has described as an “illegal and unjust” detention.
Sowore was taken into custody on Wednesday after honouring an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.
Police claimed their investigation was based on two petitions alleging forgery of police documents and cyber bullying.
His lawyer, Tope Temokun, alleged that Sowore was subjected to inhumane treatment, including being moved to an undisclosed location on Thursday where he sustained physical injuries.
In a Facebook post announcing his release, Sowore wrote: “The Nigeria Police Force has capitulated to the demands of the revolutionary movement. I have been released from unjust, illegal and unwarranted detention.
“However, it is nothing to celebrate, but thank you for not giving up!”
While addressing journalists at the detention facility earlier Friday, Sowore insisted there was no legal basis for his arrest. “There is no basis for my arrest in the first place. There is no basis for any citizen in Nigeria to be arrested by the IGP because the IGP feels threatened by the legality of opposition,” he said in a Sahara Reporters live stream.
He also accused the police of misleading the public about his condition, claiming his hand had been broken and medical care was inadequate. “I have been expecting this nonsense from them since I was brought here yesterday morning by 6am… Since I came here yesterday, they broke my hand, they have not been able to bring a doctor, they brought a nurse. Instead of bringing the doctor, they went and brought the media. I was expecting it.”
Sowore’s detention drew sharp criticism from political figures and rights groups. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) described it as a violation of the Constitution and Nigeria’s international obligations, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called it a “shameful abuse of power,” while Labour Party’s Peter Obi labelled it “a miscarriage of justice and an abuse of state power.” Prominent lawyer Femi Falana condemned Sowore’s treatment as a breach of constitutional rights and demanded an investigation under the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.
Protests erupted in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo and Osun states on Friday demanding Sowore’s freedom. However, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, told demonstrators that Sowore was detained after allegedly refusing to make a statement.
