By Adenike Lawal
Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was rearrested by police on Friday, moments after the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja granted him bail.
Eyewitnesses said officers from the FCT Command’s Anti-Vice Unit, led by Ilyasu Barau, forcefully seized Sowore outside the court and bundled him into a van while his legal team processed bail documents.
Lawyers accused the police of defying the magistrate’s ruling and failing to present any valid remand order.
Earlier, the court had granted Sowore and 12 others ₦500,000 bail each following their arrest during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
The conditions included the submission of passports, NINs, and tax clearance certificates.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the rearrest, saying Sowore led protesters into a restricted area and would be charged soon.
Sowore’s arrest adds to his long-running clashes with security agencies since his 2019 detention over the #RevolutionNow protest.
Rights groups have condemned the latest action as a violation of free speech and judicial authority.
