Leading human-rights activist and publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, was arrested on Thursday morning by officers of the Nigeria Police Force inside the precincts of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The arrest occurred shortly after his appearance in court, where he had arrived in solidarity with the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. According to police statements, he was taken into custody on orders issued by the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, for alleged violations connected to a recently held protest.
Eyewitness accounts say Mr. Sowore arrived at the court compound just before the arrest and was approached by armed police operatives who indicated he was under arrest and must accompany them to the FCT Police Command. He questioned the absence of a formal warrant or letter of invitation and requested his lawyer be present, but was still escorted into a marked police van.
The arrest came on the heels of a major demonstration held earlier this week in Abuja under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, where Mr. Sowore had played a visible role. During that protest, supporters of Kanu called for his release from custody and denounced his prolonged detention without a concluded trial. Security operatives reportedly used tear gas to disperse crowds and arrested several participants.
Police say the arrest is linked to the October 20 protest in the Three Arms Zone of Abuja in which they allege participants chanted war songs, obstructed traffic, and ignored court orders restraining gatherings in sensitive areas. The force claims Mr. Sowore’s presence and actions contributed to the breach of peace. A charge sheet filed in a Kuje Magistrate Court lists 13 persons facing charges of incitement, criminal conspiracy, and disturbance of public peace in connection with the protest.
Mr. Sowore is no stranger to the courts. He gained national recognition as the founder of media outfit Sahara Reporters and later ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 election. His activism includes the #RevolutionNow campaigns calling for radical reform of Nigeria’s political system and an end to corruption. He was arrested in 2019 on treasonable felony and cybercrime charges. His legal battles since then have become a reference point in discussions about civil liberties and state power in Nigeria.
The context of today’s arrest is especially sensitive. Mr. Kanu’s trial, which centers on terrorism and treason charges, continues to draw national attention amid conflicting narratives about justice, security, and regional rights. Mr. Sowore’s presence at the court this week was part of a broader mobilization campaign by IPOB supporters and allied civil society actors. The move was interpreted by government officials as political agitation. Observers say Mr. Sowore’s arrest inside a court premises is unprecedented in recent public-interest cases in Nigeria and signals heightened vigilance by security agencies around the Kanu issue.
Critics argue Mr. Sowore’s detention inside the court complex challenges basic norms of legal access and equality before the law. They point to his decades-long record of activism and his recent efforts in supporting the Kanu cause as civic work protected under the constitution. Human rights lawyers reached immediately after the arrest described the development as “preposterous” and said it risks chilling dissent.
Security sources say Mr. Sowore is expected to be charged with count(s) relating to the recent protest and alleged violation of a court order. A formal statement by the police public relations officer in the FCT Command confirmed he was in custody and would be charged to court later on Thursday.
The detention has already generated ripple effects in Abuja and beyond. Supporters of Mr. Sowore gathered outside the court and later at the police command, insisting on his immediate release. Others called for calm and lawful regrouping. Reports say police increased deployment around key junctions in the Central Business District and the court complex after word of the arrest circulated. Traffic congestion and business disruptions were reported in the vicinity.
For the federal government, the incident presents a fresh challenge. A high-profile activist and former presidential hopeful being arrested inside a court compound during his appearance for another case raises questions about the state of protest rights, court security and the boundaries of state action in Nigeria. For civil society, the event may mark a turning point in discourse around protest governance and institutional independence.
Mr. Sowore’s legal history includes prior detention periods, bail grants, re-arrests, and ongoing litigation over his rights and the conduct of the security agencies. For instance, in 2022, a United Nations-related rights investigation highlighted his case as being emblematic of broader concerns about indefinite detention and due-process violations in Nigeria.
Both state and non-state actors will monitor whether the charges against Mr. Sowore adhere to standard legal process, whether his rights to counsel and fair treatment are maintained, and whether this arrest affects the mobilization around the Kanu issue.
Samuel Aina