By: Sunday Ameh
Tension erupted outside the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday after police officers re-arrested human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, shortly after the court granted him bail.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore was punched and dragged into a waiting police van by officers led by CSP Ilyasu Barau, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Vice Section, DC-CID, FCT Command.
The incident reportedly occurred while his legal team was processing his bail conditions.
“The IPO punched him, dragged him on the ground, and pushed him violently into the van,” an eyewitness said. “When we demanded to see a remand order, they refused to produce any document.”
Sowore and 13 others had earlier been granted bail by Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id in the sum of ₦500,000 each. The court also ordered them to present a verified National Identification Number (NIN), three-year tax clearance certificates, and submit their passports.
The defendants, including Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, were arraigned on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace following their participation in the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
Despite the court order, witnesses alleged that the police ignored the ruling and whisked Sowore away, citing what they called a “secret remand order.”
His arrest has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and human rights advocates, who accuse security agencies of repeatedly targeting the activist for his pro-democracy stance and criticism of government policies.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has faced multiple arrests and detentions in recent years over his activism and calls for reform.
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