There was tension at the Kuje magistrate court in Abuja on Friday after police officers whisked away activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore moments after he was granted bail.
Sowore, along with Aloy Ejimakor a former lawyer to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and 11 others, had been arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja. Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id approved bail for all defendants, requiring two sureties each, ₦500,000 bonds, verified NINs, three-year tax clearances, and international passports.
However, immediately after the ruling, a team of police officers reportedly led by an officer named Iliyasu forcefully took Sowore away, sparking outrage from his lawyer Tope Temokun and supporters. Temokun accused the police of “raw impunity,” alleging that Sowore was “violently abducted” and that he himself was injured during the scuffle.
The Nigeria Police Force defended the action, calling it standard procedure. Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said Sowore was still in lawful custody since his bail conditions had not been perfected.
“Until bail conditions are met, a suspect remains in custody,” Hundeyin said. “Where a remand warrant specifies transfer to a correctional facility, police must hand over the suspect accordingly. This is routine procedure.”
Sowore had been arrested on Thursday after leaving the Federal High Court in Abuja.
