The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reason behind the arrest of human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking to journalists, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore was taken into custody for allegedly leading protesters into a restricted area in violation of an existing court order.
“Today, Omoyele Sowore has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested. The reason is straightforward. The thirteen people previously arrested all mentioned that Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin said.
He added that it would be unfair to prosecute the earlier arrested protesters without including the person alleged to have led them.
Hundeyin disclosed that eight people were initially arrested on Monday in front of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, while another five were picked up around the Ministry of Finance, bringing the total to thirteen.
“They were arraigned the very next day and did not spend up to 24 hours in our custody,” he stated, adding that Sowore would also be arraigned once investigations are concluded.
The police spokesman emphasized that the protest breached a restriction order imposed to maintain public order in certain parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Sowore’s arrest came shortly after he attended a Federal High Court session in solidarity with detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.