By: Sunday Ameh
Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has been reportedly re-arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, just hours after being granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore, who was initially arrested on Thursday at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, was brought before the court today where the presiding judge granted him bail under specific conditions. However, shortly after the ruling, armed policemen reportedly stormed the court area and whisked him away again.
The dramatic re-arrest caused tension around the court premises as Sowore’s legal team and supporters tried to resist the action. Witnesses said the officers manhandled some of his lawyers and dispersed onlookers before taking the activist away in an unmarked vehicle.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Sowore’s lawyer, Barrister Tope Temokun, expressed deep concern over his client’s safety and wellbeing, describing the incident as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“We are not sure of Sowore’s safety at the moment,” Temokun said.
“He was granted bail by the court today, but before he could even perfect the bail process, heavily armed policemen harassed us and took him away by force. This is an open assault on justice.”
Temokun, who alleged that he and some of his colleagues were brutally attacked by the officers during the operation, called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and civil rights organisations to urgently intervene.
“This level of impunity is unacceptable. If the police can violate a court order in broad daylight, what hope is left for ordinary citizens?” he lamented.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore’s current location remains unknown, and the FCT Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding his re-arrest.
The incident has already sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the authorities of targeting dissenting voices and undermining the judiciary.
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