The Nigeria Police Force has said activist Omoyele Sowore may be charged in court following his arrest in connection with the “#FreeNnamdiKanuNow” protest held earlier in the week in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, explained that Sowore’s arrest was based on confessions made by 13 protesters earlier apprehended for defying a court order restricting movement around key parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Hundeyin said all 13 suspects consistently mentioned Sowore as the individual who led them into the restricted area, an action that contravened a subsisting court order.
He said, “It would be most unfair to charge some people to court and leave the person who led them to commit that act. In the spirit of fair play and justice, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today.”
CSP Hundeyin also noted that Sowore would not be detained unnecessarily, noting that the Force had no intention of keeping him beyond the necessary period.
“Like the others, he won’t spend up to 24 hours with us. Once we conclude the charges, he will be taken to court.
If everything goes right, he will be prosecuted today,” Hundeyin said.
He also confirmed that the earlier arrested protesters, eight of whom were apprehended around the Transcorp area and five near the Ministry of Finance, were arraigned within 24 hours of their arrest and have since been remanded.
He reaffirmed police commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring that justice is applied evenly, urging citizens to respect lawful directives and avoid activities that could disrupt public peace.
