ABUJA – Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and activist, was forcibly taken from the Federal High Court in Abuja by armed police officers shortly after attending a hearing for Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore, a prominent advocate for Kanu’s release, was intercepted by security personnel on Thursday, who insisted that he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
When he inquired about the reason for his detention, one officer stated they were acting on an order from the Commissioner of Police. “The Commissioner of Police instructed us to bring you to the office,” the officer added.
Despite questioning the lack of an official invitation, Sowore insisted that his lawyer should accompany him. He was ultimately taken away in a police van.
It is important to note that Sowore, who is also the publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, was one of the key organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that occurred in Abuja and other regions last Monday.
During the protest, twelve individuals, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his legal representatives, Alloy Ejimakor, were arrested and subsequently remanded at Kuje prison.
In a First Information Report (FIR) submitted to a Chief Magistrate Court at Kuje, the police alleged that the defendants participated in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in defiance of a court order, chanting war songs and obstructing traffic.
The report accused them of criminal conspiracy, incitement to disturbance, and disturbing public peace, which are offences punishable under sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The charges read: “On the 20th of October, 2025, you (1) Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, (2) Prince Emmanuel Kanu, (3) Joshua Emmanuel, (4) Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, (5) Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, (6) Clinton Chimeneze, (7) Gabriel Joshua, (8) Isiaka Husseini, (9) Onyekachi Ferdinand, (10) Amadi Prince, (11) Edison Ojisom, and (12) Godwill Obiama, all male adults from FCT Abuja, were arrested by a team of security agents in various locations within the FCT while engaging in incitement, breaching public peace in violation of a court order, denying other citizens their freedom of movement, disrupting traffic while chanting war songs, and demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court, in a manner that poses a threat to national security. You thereby committed the aforementioned offences.”
The court has scheduled a hearing for the defendants to enter their pleas on Friday. It remains uncertain whether the charges will be amended to include Sowore as a defendant.
