By peterside Rejoice
Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force after honouring an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sowore arrived at the Force Headquarters in the company of his lawyers and a number of supporters following an invitation letter issued to him by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The police had invited him over an alleged petition, but failed to provide a copy of the petition despite repeated requests by his legal team.
The invitation also cited a non-existent offence termed “incting disturbance” and made reference to Section 53(2) of the “ACJA 2025” a legal provision that does not exist in Nigerian law.
Despite what he described as “legal fabrications,” Sowore honoured the invitation in good faith, only to be detained without a valid court order or formal charge.
The development has sparked reactions from civil rights organisations and legal experts who have described the detention as unlawful, arbitrary and politically motivated.
Supporters who accompanied the activist were seen protesting at the entrance of the Force Headquarters. They were reportedly threatened and dispersed by armed security personnel.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore remains in custody.
Efforts to reach police authorities for official comment on the matter have so far been unsuccessful.
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