Tension erupted on Friday at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja after officers of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly re-arrested human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, moments after the court granted him bail alongside 13 others.
Eyewitnesses told The Legal Observer that Sowore was forcefully taken away by police officers led by CSP Ilyasu Barau, the Officer-in-Charge of Anti-Vice under the FCT Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The incident occurred just outside the court premises while Sowore’s legal team was finalizing his bail conditions.
According to witnesses, the officers punched and dragged the activist before pushing him into a waiting van. Attempts by lawyers and journalists on the scene to verify the legality of the arrest reportedly led to further scuffles.
“The IPO punched him and dragged him to the ground. When we asked to see a remand order, they refused to show any document,” said one eyewitness.
Police officers were said to have cited a “secret remand order” purportedly authorizing Sowore’s transfer to the Kuje Correctional Centre, though no such document was presented to the court or defense counsel at the time.
Earlier, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id had granted bail to Sowore, Aloy Ejimakor (counsel to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu), Prince Emmanuel Kanu (Kanu’s brother), and ten other protesters arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration held in Abuja on October 20, 2025.
The bail was set at ₦500,000 for each defendant, with two sureties in like sum. Defendants were also directed to submit verified NINs, three-year tax clearance certificates, and their international passports as part of the bail requirements.
Sowore’s fresh arrest came barely 24 hours after he was detained at the Federal High Court in Abuja while attending Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial. The incident, captured in viral videos, has drawn widespread criticism from civil society groups and human rights advocates, who accuse the police of contempt of court and violating due process.
Sowore, a pro-democracy campaigner and former presidential candidate, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years linked to his activism and criticism of the Nigerian government.
As of press time, his current location remained unclear, while his lawyers and supporters have demanded his immediate release in compliance with the court’s bail order.
