The Nigeria Police Force has explained that the arrest of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore was linked to his alleged role in leading protesters into a restricted area in Abuja, in defiance of a subsisting court order.
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Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said Sowore’s name came up during interrogations of 13 protesters earlier arrested for participating in the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” demonstration.
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According to Hundeyin, all the arrested protesters stated that Sowore led them into the restricted zone despite knowing about the court’s restriction on protests in certain parts of the city. He explained that it would be unjust to prosecute the protesters while leaving out the person alleged to have guided them into violating the order.
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Hundeyin added that the arrest was carried out to ensure fairness and uphold the law, noting that Sowore would not be detained for long as plans were underway to arraign him in court within 24 hours.
Earlier, police officers had arrested 13 individuals linked to the same protest for breaching the court’s directive. Eight were apprehended near the Transcorp area, while five others were arrested close to the Ministry of Finance.
Hundeyin stated that despite repeated warnings, the protesters proceeded into the restricted zones, prompting their arrest. He added that all 13 suspects were charged in court within a day of their detention.
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