Police Arrest Sowore After Court Appearance for Nnamdi Kanu
Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has been whisked away by armed policemen from the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after attending the court session of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has been a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release, was accosted on Thursday by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When asked about the reason for the arrest, one of the officers reportedly said they were acting on the orders of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer stated.
Despite questioning the lack of a formal invitation, Sowore, who insisted that his lawyer must accompany him, was eventually taken away in a police van.
Vanguard reports that the activist and publisher of the online news platform, Sahara Reporters, was among the organisers of the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and other parts of the country last Monday.
During the protest, twelve persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor, were arrested and later remanded at Kuje Prison.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the defendants were accused of participating in the protest in violation of a court order. The report further alleged that the protesters chanted war songs and obstructed the free flow of traffic.
The police charged them with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, offences said to be punishable under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
