Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force following his appearance at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Sowore, who voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit, arrived at the facility around 12:13 p.m., accompanied by his lawyers, Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, and a crowd of supporters chanting anti-government slogans and calling for the removal of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
Carrying a travel bag containing personal items, Sowore reportedly came prepared for the possibility of detention.
Investigations revealed that Sowore declined to provide a written statement during the interrogation, demanding instead the original police memo he is accused of forging. He was presented with two petitions – one alleging forgery, and another, reportedly filed by Bukola Yemisi Kuti, accusing him of criminal defamation.
A post on Sowore’s official Facebook page alleged that DCP Akin Fakorede, a former SARS officer, presented the petitions during the interrogation. The post described the IGP’s office as “illegal” and suggested the invitation was politically motivated.
Sowore had earlier rejected a previous invitation, describing it as “defective and riddled with legal errors,” particularly criticising the initial charge of “inciting disturbance,” which he said is not recognised under Nigerian law. The charges were later revised to forgery and criminal defamation.
Supporters at the Force Headquarters claimed the arrest was a targeted witch-hunt by the police, orchestrated by the IGP.
“It is shameful that the Inspector General of Police has resorted to vendetta against Sowore, who has consistently spoken truth to power,” said Rex Elanu, a member of the Take It Back Movement. “We will continue to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of bad governance, including that of the Nigeria Police.”
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore remained in police custody.
