Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday detained by armed policemen at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after he appeared in court to show solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, known for his consistent advocacy for Kanu’s release, was reportedly approached by police officers who insisted that he follow them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When he asked for the reason behind his arrest, one of the officers responded that they were following direct orders from the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer was quoted as saying.
Sowore protested the lack of a formal invitation and insisted that his lawyer must accompany him before eventually agreeing to leave with the officers, who drove him away in a police van.
Confirming the incident, lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, condemned Sowore’s arrest in a post on his X handle, describing the move as unjust and unnecessary.
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He wrote, “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous. The police and the Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system. He should be freed immediately. Stop the shenanigans.”
Sowore’s detention comes just days after he led a protest in Abuja on October 20 as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement, which spread to other parts of Nigeria.
During the demonstration, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested and later remanded at Kuje Prison.
In a First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, police alleged that the protesters violated a court order by chanting war songs and obstructing traffic.
The report further claimed that the group’s actions amounted to “criminal conspiracy, incitement, and breach of public peace,” which are punishable under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Part of the FIR reads:
“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 defiance of a court order, thereby obstructing 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.”
The court has set Friday for the defendants to enter their pleas on the charges.