Activist and publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday arrested by armed police officers within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The incident occurred shortly after he appeared at the court in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore was approached by a team of armed policemen who insisted that he follow them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. When he demanded to know the reason for his arrest, one of the officers replied that they were acting on the order of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police said we should bring you to the office,” one of the officers was quoted as saying.
According to reports gathered by Okay News, Sowore questioned why there was no formal letter of invitation and insisted that his lawyer must accompany him before he was eventually taken away in a police van.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, confirmed the arrest in a post shared via his X handle, describing the development as “preposterous.” Effiong 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 had earlier, on October 20, led a protest in Abuja under the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement, calling for the release of the IPOB leader. The protest also held in other parts of the country.
During the demonstration, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were arrested and remanded at Kuje Prison.
In the First Information Report filed before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, the police alleged that the arrested individuals participated in a protest held in defiance of a court order, during which they allegedly chanted war songs and disrupted traffic flow.
The police further accused the group of criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance — offences said to contravene Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
According to the charge, the incident took place on October 20, 2025, at various locations within Abuja. The police claimed the protest threatened national security while demanding Kanu’s release, who is currently facing trial at the Federal High Court.
The court has fixed Friday for the defendants to enter their plea.
