There was mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday when security operatives reportedly arrested human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, shortly after he met with detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who had attended the court session in solidarity with Kanu, was seen in a viral video embracing the IPOB leader. In the clip, Sowore said to Kanu, “Mazi, you will be out,” to which Kanu replied with a smile, “Good to see you.”
Moments later, Sowore shared another video on his Facebook page showing security operatives whisking him away. Men in Nigerian police uniforms were visible in the footage, while Sowore could be heard insisting that his lawyer must accompany him and that his vehicle be allowed to follow the police van.
Details of the arrest remain unclear as of press time, and neither the police nor the Department of State Services (DSS) has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Sowore has been an outspoken critic of Kanu’s continued detention and one of the few public figures outside the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) structure who consistently advocates for his release.
Earlier this week, on October 20, Sowore led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release and urging the Federal Government to comply with previous court rulings granting him bail.
Thursday’s proceedings also took an unexpected turn as Nnamdi Kanu informed the court of his decision to personally conduct his defence following the withdrawal of his legal team. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until Friday to enable Kanu to prepare for self-representation.