Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested by police officers in Abuja shortly after leaving the Federal High Court on Thursday.
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, the arrest was carried out on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sowore, who appeared in court over what he described as a “bogus and farcical” forgery charge involving a police wireless message allegedly filed under the instruction of the “illegal Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” was reportedly informed that the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, would not be sitting.
Moments after leaving the courtroom premises, a police officer approached Sowore and informed him that he was under arrest on the directive of the FCT Police Commissioner.
Members of his legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, immediately challenged the officers, demanding clarification on the grounds for his arrest. However, the police reportedly insisted they were acting on “direct orders” and whisked Sowore away in a waiting vehicle.
Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has been a long-time critic of government policies and an outspoken advocate for democracy and human rights.
He has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions since 2019 over his activism and consistent calls for accountability and good governance in Nigeria.