Police arrest Sowore at Nnamdi Kanu’s trial in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday arrested Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, while he was attending the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The arrest was disclosed by Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and activist who posted the development on his social media pages, stating that Sowore was apprehended within the court premises.

According to Adeyanju, “BREAKING: Omoyele Sowore just arrested at the Federal High Court by the Nigerian Police. When will the Nigerian Police stop acting jobless?”

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, had attended the court session to show solidarity with Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges brought by the federal government.

Earlier in the week, Sowore led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release. The demonstration, which began at the Unity Fountain and moved towards the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa, involved several activists and Kanu’s supporters.

The protesters, including Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor and his brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, carried placards with inscriptions such as #FreeNnamdiKanuNow and #StopPersecutingNnamdiKanu. They accused the government of violating Kanu’s rights.

Read also: Nnamdi Kanu assumes self-representation as lawyers withdraw from case

Security operatives reportedly dispersed the protest and arrested several participants, including Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu.

Sowore later accused Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, of ordering the crackdown, describing it as an attempt to silence activists and suppress dissent.

As of press time, police authorities had not issued a statement regarding Sowore’s arrest.