The Nigeria Police Force has explained why human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre shortly after being granted bail by the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday.,
Sowore, who was arrested on Thursday on allegations of incitement and breach of public peace, had organised the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest earlier in the week despite police warnings. He was arraigned alongside 12 others and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court granted him bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties, which his legal team was working to perfect when police officers reportedly re-arrested him outside the court.
Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, who witnessed the incident, accused the police of using excessive force to remove Sowore from the court premises. He claimed that over 50 armed officers stormed the area, assaulted Sowore, and whisked him away without allowing his lawyers to inspect the alleged remand order.
Adeyanju said, “Sowore had just been granted bail, and while we were speaking with him, the police suddenly attacked. They flashed a remand order but refused to let us see it. When we asked where they were taking him, they said Kuje Prison.”
He further alleged that during the scuffle, officers tore Sowore’s clothes and accused him of insulting the Inspector General of Police.
However, reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police acted lawfully and attached a copy of the remand warrant to his post.
“Except we want to be mischievous, we all know that once bail is granted, the suspect remains in custody until the conditions are met,” Hundeyin stated.
He added that the remand warrant specified Kuje Correctional Centre, not police custody, and that it was the duty of the police to transfer the suspect accordingly. “As law enforcement officers, we are empowered by law to employ commensurate force to carry out our duties,” he said.
Sowore’s legal team is reportedly working to finalise his bail conditions for his release.