The Nigerian Police has re-arrested human rights activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore immediately after Kuje counts granted him bail.
Sources on the court premises said the incident occurred moments after the magistrate granted bail to Sowore and 13 others.
As Sowore’s lawyers worked to finalize his bail papers, police officers, led by CSP Ilyasu Barau from the FCT Command’s Anti-Vice Unit, swooped in, grabbed Sowore, beat him, and forced him into a police van.
“The IPO punched him, dragged him on the ground, and pushed him violently into the van. They really manhandled him,” one person at the scene said.
When people asked to see the court order for the arrest, the police refused to show anything. “When we demanded to see the remand order they claimed to have obtained from the court, the officer refused to produce any document,” the witness added. The police claimed they had a secret order to take Sowore back to Kuje prison, ignoring the court’s bail decision.
The officers also pushed and attacked Sowore’s lawyers during the chaos. Witnesses accused the police of breaking the court’s rules and trying to keep Sowore locked up for no clear reason.
Human rights groups called the police actions shameful and dangerous. Sowore’s team said they will fight the re-arrest in court. The FCT Police Command has not explained their actions yet.