THE Nigeria police have arrested activist Omoyele Sowore while in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, in court.
Mr Sowore was arested within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja by armed policemen on Thursday morning. Mr Sowore, who organised a protest in Abuja on October calling for Mr Kanu’s unconditional release, was picked up around 11am by police officers who insisted on taking him to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command “on the instruction of the commissioner of police.”
The police officer could not present a formal letter of invitation as demanded by Mr Sowore, who also insisted that his lawyer must accompany him to the police command. He was eventually whisked away in a police van.
Sowore arrested at Federal High Court premises Source: bonanaija.com.ng
The Nigeria police had arrested both Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Mr Aloy Ejimakor, and his unnamed brother during the protest. According to Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, “We arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, his lawyer because they insisted on making way to the restricted areas. And not just two of them, six others were also arrested around TRANSCORP, and for this same reason. So we arrested a total of eight of them. They are currently at the state CID, and once we conclude our investigation, just like we said in our statement, that anybody who violated that court order would be arrested, diligently investigated and prosecuted, once we conclude that, which we should tonight, then they’ll be prosecuted immediately. In less than 24 hours, they will be facing the court.”
Reactions trail Sowore’s arrest
Reactions have, however, trailed the activist’s arrest, with several Nigerians condemning it.
READ ALSO: #FreeNnamdiKanu protest: Five dramatic events that took place in Abuja on Monday
Lawyer and activist, Mr Inebehe Effiong, said: “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.” Mr Effiong noted that police and the Tinubu administration were making a mockery of the judicial system, stressing that he should be freed immediately.
National Coordinator of Take It Back Movement, Mr Sanyaolu Juwon, accused the police of trying to silence dissenting voices on the orders of politicans.
“We have received credible information that the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has invited our comrade and convener, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly in connection with the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest and other legitimate acts of political expression. Sowore has since honored the invitation but is yet to return,” Juwon noted.
“We wish to categorically warn that any form of detention, harassment, or intimidation of Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force or any arm of the Tinubu regime will be met with an immediate, nationwide mass action.
“Sowore is not a criminal; he is a renowned human rights activist and a voice of conscience for millions of oppressed Nigerians who continue to suffer under a corrupt and tyrannical system,” he added.
Social media influencer, Mr Daniel Regha, said: “Arresting Sowore but overlooking bandits that publicly sit down to negotiate peace deals. Jokers.”
Lawyers’ bizzare withdrawal from Kanu’s case
Meanwhile, former Attorney-General of the Federation and lead counsel to IPOB leader, had withdrawn his services to Mr Kanu in the ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. All the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) involved in the matter also announced their withdrawal from the case on Thursday morning.
In his response, Kanu, who is is facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism, said he would be representing himself.
Mr Kanu had listed former AGF, Mr Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd); a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), among others, as witnesses in the case.
The court adjourned till Friday, October 24 for Mr Kanu to enter his defence.
Mr Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015 and re-arrested on treason charges in Lagos on June 27, 2021, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He has been in prison since then despite an appeal court verdict on October 13, 2023, ordering his release.
The Nigerian government argues that his IPOB group is a terrorist organisation, though Kanu claims it is a legal institution fighting for the freedom of South-East Nigeria citizens.
