Police Arrest Omoyele Sowore at Federal High Court in Abuja

Armed policemen on Thursday arrested human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore was reportedly at the court to show solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who appeared for the continuation of his trial. Eyewitnesses said the activist was accosted by security operatives shortly after the court session and whisked away in a police vehicle.

According to reports, the policemen informed Sowore that they were acting on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One of the officers was quoted as saying, “The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office.”

The activist, however, questioned the legality of the arrest and demanded to see a formal letter of invitation, insisting that his lawyer must accompany him before he was eventually taken away.

Confirming the incident, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, described the arrest as “preposterous.”

Effiong wrote, “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.”

As of press time, details regarding the reason for the arrest or the specific allegations against Sowore had not been made public by the police.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has faced multiple confrontations with security agencies in recent years over his activism and advocacy for democratic reforms.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage among rights activists and civil society groups, who have called for his immediate release and demanded explanations from the police authorities.