Human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, has condemned the arrest of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, describing it as “executive impunity” and a “descent into lawlessness.”
Temokun, in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, said Sowore was arrested shortly after appearing before the Federal High Court, where his ongoing case with the Federal Government was heard.
According to him, the arrest took place in front of the court premises after policemen informed them that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, wanted to see Sowore.
“He did not resist. He volunteered to go with them, and I followed him as his counsel,” Temokun said. “But what began as a mere invitation turned into a dark familiar script of deceit.”
He explained that instead of being taken to the Commissioner’s office, Sowore was driven to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID FCT, where he was told he allegedly led a protest in an area said to be under a “court order” prohibiting demonstrations.
Temokun said the activist was later transferred to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility, popularly known as the Abattoir, where he was detained “without a court order, charge, or explanation.”
“There is no law in Nigeria that permits the police to detain a citizen over an alleged breach of a court order in a matter already before the court,” he stated. “If indeed such an order exists, only the court that made it can entertain a complaint of disobedience.”
Describing the action as “executive impunity,” the lawyer warned that detaining a man for leading a protest “makes a mockery of the rule of law and democratic governance.”
He further demanded Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, stressing that the Constitution still guarantees the liberty of every citizen.
Sowore, a Human right activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested by armed policemen at the court premises in Abuja on Thursday morning.
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