Political activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was arrested by armed police officers on Thursday within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he had appeared in solidarity with detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. The arrest, confirmed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong and the Nigeria Police Force, stems from Sowore’s role in leading Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, during which demonstrators allegedly entered a restricted area.
Key Details:
✔ Arrest Location: Federal High Court, Abuja
✔ Reason Given: Police claim he led protesters into a “restricted area”
✔ Legal Context: Sowore has been a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release
✔ Police Statement: FPRO Benjamin Hundeyin vowed to arraign him within 24 hours to “ensure fairness
Why This Matters
• Civic Space: Continues trend of arresting activists under Tinubu administration
• Legal Precedent: Arrest within court premises challenges sanctity of judicial spaces
• Political Speech: Tests boundaries between lawful protest and “restricted areas”
Reactions
→ Rights Lawyers: Condemned arrest as “preposterous” and judicial mockery
→ Police Justification: Frame arrest as ensuring “even justice” for all protesters
→ Public Response: Mixed reactions on social media about protest legality
What Next?
→ Immediate Arraignment: Police promise swift charges
→ Legal Battle: Sowore’s team likely to challenge arrest legality
→ Movement Response: Possible escalation of #FreeNnamdiKanu protests
