BREAKING: Police arrest Sowore at Federal High Court, Abuja

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was arrested by police operatives shortly after leaving the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The arrest which took place on Thursday, was reportedly carried out on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), occurred moments after Sowore was informed that the judge assigned to his case would not be sitting.

Sowore had appeared in court to face what he described as a “bogus and farcical charge” of allegedly forging a police wireless message a case he claims was filed under the instruction of the “illegal Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.”

The arrest came amid heightened tension in the capital, as the police had earlier warned those planning to stage a protest for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to avoid restricted areas. However, Sowore stood his ground, insisting that it was his constitutional right to protest.

According to an eyewitness, a police officer approached Sowore outside the court premises and informed him that he was under arrest on the orders of the FCT Commissioner of Police.

Members of his legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, immediately challenged the officers and demanded clarification on the reason for the arrest.

Despite their protests, the officers insisted they were acting on the “direct instruction” of the Commissioner before escorting Sowore into a waiting vehicle.

Sowore, a long-time critic of government policies, has remained a prominent voice in pro-democracy and human rights advocacy, leading several movements demanding good governance and accountability across Nigeria.