Drama unfolded at the Kuje Magistrate Court on Friday as security operatives re-arrested human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, moments after he was granted bail by the court.
Sowore, alongside several others, had been arraigned earlier in the day over charges related to a recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. The prosecution accused them of unlawful assembly, incitement, and disturbance of public peace, alleging that the demonstration disrupted traffic and public order.
Presiding Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’Id granted bail to the defendants in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with conditions including a verified National Identification Number (NIN), three years of tax clearance, and the submission of their international passports.
However, just as Sowore exited the courtroom after meeting his bail conditions, police officers surrounded and forcefully re-arrested him outside the court premises. Eyewitnesses reported that the activist was bundled into a waiting van, while his lawyers and supporters demanded to see a remand order — which officers reportedly refused to produce.
Legal representatives expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as a direct violation of the court’s authority.
One of Sowore’s associates claimed that the officers said they were acting on “fresh instructions,” though no formal documentation was presented to justify the action.
The re-arrest has sparked widespread criticism among rights advocates, who see it as yet another example of disregard for judicial orders and a threat to civil liberties in the country.
Also Read: Court Grants Bail to Sowore, Ejimakor, Kanu’s Brother, Others in Abuja
Sowore, a prominent government critic and pro-democracy campaigner, has faced multiple arrests in recent years linked to protests and activism. His latest encounter with security agencies underscores what observers describe as a growing tension between the judiciary and law enforcement over the handling of politically sensitive cases.
As of the time of filing this report, police authorities had yet to release an official statement explaining the reasons for the latest arrest or Sowore’s current whereabouts. His legal team is reportedly preparing to challenge the development in court.
