By Uzair Adam
Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday taken into custody by armed police officers shortly after attending a court session for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore, a prominent campaigner for Kanu’s release, was reportedly accosted by the officers who insisted that he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
When he asked for the reason behind his arrest, one of the officers replied that they were acting on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer stated.
Despite questioning the lack of a formal invitation and insisting that his lawyer must be present, Sowore was eventually driven away in a police van.
It would be recalled that the Sahara Reporters publisher played a major role in organising the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protest that took place in Abuja and other cities on Monday.
During the protest, police arrested 12 participants, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor. The detainees were later remanded at Kuje Prison.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the police accused the protesters of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and public disorder.
The report alleged that the protest, which violated a subsisting court order, obstructed traffic and posed a threat to public peace.
The court is expected to take the plea of the 12 defendants on Friday.
However, it remains unclear whether Sowore will be added to the charge sheet.