The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Thursday arrested human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore was taken into custody by armed police officers shortly after attending the court to show support for detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
His arrest came days after he led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.
The police confirmed that Sowore is in custody and will be charged to court.
According to the police spokesperson, he was detained for allegedly breaching an existing court order that bans protests around the Three Arms Zone in the nation’s capital.
Sowore has now been moved to Kuje Prison in Abuja, where he is being held alongside other protesters arrested earlier in the week.
His arrest followed Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu rally, during which Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others were detained and later remanded by a Magistrate Court in Kuje.
The police accused them of causing public disturbance, obstructing traffic, and chanting war songs during the protest.
Before his arrest, Sowore had alleged that security operatives attacked peaceful demonstrators during Monday’s rally in Abuja, claiming that live bullets were fired at them near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The activist is expected to face charges in connection with the alleged violation of the protest restriction order.
Malami Usman