Sowore Arrested In Court While Attending Nnamdi Kanu’s Treason Trial
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly arrested on Thursday morning at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he had gone to attend the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore arrived at the court premises to observe the proceedings in solidarity with Kanu but was intercepted by security operatives shortly after he attempted to enter the courtroom. The activist, known for his bold criticism of government policies and advocacy for democratic freedoms, was reportedly surrounded by armed personnel and whisked away in a white Hilux vehicle.
Videos circulating online showed moments of commotion as supporters of both Sowore and Kanu expressed outrage over the arrest, describing it as another attack on civic space and freedom of expression.
The Federal High Court premises were heavily guarded, with combined teams of the Department of State Services (DSS), police officers, and other security operatives deployed in anticipation of possible protests. Journalists and observers were subjected to strict screening before being allowed into the building.
“Sowore wasn’t causing any disturbance. He was simply present like other observers. Suddenly, DSS officers moved toward him and started pushing him out. Before anyone could understand what was happening, they bundled him into a vehicle.”
The motive behind the arrest remains unclear as of press time, as none of the security agencies present at the scene have issued an official statement.
Civil society groups and pro-democracy activists have condemned the arrest, describing it as a continuation of the government’s intolerance toward dissenting voices. The Take It Back Movement, a group founded by Sowore, issued a swift statement demanding his immediate release.
“Omoyele Sowore was at the Federal High Court peacefully. His arrest by security agents is another act of intimidation. The Nigerian government must stop targeting activists for simply exercising their rights,” the statement read.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also reacted, urging authorities to respect due process and fundamental human rights.
Sowore has had several encounters with security agencies in recent years. In 2019, he was arrested by the DSS for calling for a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow and was detained for several months before being released under strict bail conditions. Despite this, he has remained an outspoken critic of bad governance, corruption, and human rights abuses in Nigeria.
Nnamdi Kanu, whose trial Sowore came to witness, faces charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms. The IPOB leader, arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in 2021, has consistently maintained that his movement seeks the peaceful self-determination of the Igbo people.
As news of Sowore’s arrest spread, social media platforms were flooded with calls for his release. Many Nigerians expressed concern that the arrest of one activist during the trial of another signals shrinking democratic space under the current administration.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore’s whereabouts remain uncertain, and efforts to reach the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force for comments have not yielded any official response.
Observers and human rights groups are calling for transparency and restraint, warning that such actions risk deepening public mistrust and undermining the rule of law
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