JUST-IN: Police arrest Sowore in Abuja

Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, a prominent advocate for Kanu’s release, was reportedly confronted by security operatives who insisted that he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

Eyewitnesses said the officers surrounded him moments after he exited the courtroom, refusing to disclose specific details about his alleged offence.

When questioned by onlookers, one of the policemen stated that they were acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear.

“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer added.

Even though he queried the absence of a letter of invitation to him, Sowore, who maintained that his lawyer must accompany him, was taken away in a police van.

It will be recalled that the activist and publisher of an online news platform, Sahara Reporters, was among the organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that rocked Abuja and other parts of the country last Monday.

In the course of the protest, 12 persons including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor, were arrested and subsequently remanded at the Kuje prison.

Police, in the First Information Report, FIR, it filed before a Chief Magistrate Court at Kuje, alleged that the defendants, during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, which it said was held in disobedience to a court order, chanted war songs while disrupting the free flow of traffic.

It alleged that they engaged in criminal conspiracy, incited disturbance and disturbed public peace, offences punishable under sections 152, 114 and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

The charge against them read: “That on 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 FCT Abuja were arrested by a team of security agents in different locations within FCT while involving yourselves in inciting disturbance, and breach of public Peace in disobedience to a court Order, denying other citizens the freedom of movement, disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs and requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court in a manner that threatens National Security. You thereby committed the above-mentioned offences.”

The court fixed Friday to take the plea of the defendants on the charge.

It is not yet clear if the charge would be amended to include Sowore as a defendant.