Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force following allegations of forgery and incitement.
Sowore was taken into custody on Wednesday after honouring a police invitation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He arrived at the premises in the afternoon, accompanied by supporters and legal representatives.
According to the Take-it-Back Movement, an advocacy group founded by Sowore, he was subsequently detained at a police facility within the Federal Capital Territory.
His detention followed a letter addressed to his lawyer, Tope Temokun, from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit. The letter summoned Sowore for questioning, stating that full details of the petition against him would be disclosed upon his appearance. The scheduled interview was to be conducted by DCP Akin Fakorede, Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit.
Sources cited by Daily Trust revealed that the petition involves allegations of forgery and inciting public disturbance. However, as of the time of this report, no formal charges have been filed.
Reacting to the development, Abuja-based human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju condemned the detention, describing it as “an abuse of office.” He called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“Egbetokun has ordered the detention of Sowore for criticizing his incompetence, favoritism, and other numerous infractions. The Police Act 2020 and Regulation 367 of the Nigeria Police Regulations forbid officers from using their positions to settle personal scores. President Tinubu must sack him now,” Adeyanju stated.
In a separate statement, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-it-Back Movement, decried what he called the “continued harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention” of the RevolutionNow convener.
“The Nigerian people, students, workers, and our entire membership are hereby put on notice for a nationwide protest against the unlawful use of state institutions to suppress dissent,” Sanyaolu declared.
Also reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC), Femi Adeyeye, issued a warning that the party was prepared to mobilize mass action if Sowore is not released unconditionally.
“We are putting all Nigerians on notice, calling on every man and woman of conscience to be ready for a mass action. We will occupy police commands across the country until Sowore is released and justice is served,” he stated.