Omoyele Sowore
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and publisher, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Sowore was arrested on Thursday morning shortly after leaving the premises of the federal high court in Abuja.
The Sahara Reporters publisher was in court to meet Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is standing trial on charges bordering on alleged terrorism and treason.
Sowore had led a protest for Kanu’s release on October 20.
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During the protest in Abuja, the police shot teargas canisters at commuters and protesters.
The police also arrested some protesters, including Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers who represented Kanu.
The police charged Ejimakor, alongside 12 others, with various offences, including conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance of public peace, contravening sections 152, 114, and 133 of the Penal Code Law.
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A magistrate court in Abuja had ordered the remand of the defendants.
IGP VS SOWORE
Sowore has been at loggerheads with police authorities in recent months, following his criticism of the tenure extension of Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, and the “poor welfare” of retired police officers.
In January, the police arraigned Sowore over allegations of cybercrime.
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In August, a federal high court in Abuja ordered six banks to provide the IGP with information pertaining to the accounts connected to Sowore following an ex parte application.
The IGP told the court that Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities”.
Subsequently, the IGP filed another three-count charge against the publisher, accusing him of forgery, defamation, and incitement to mutiny.
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