The Nigeria Police Force has explained that the arrest of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore was due to his alleged role in leading protesters into a restricted area in violation of a subsisting court order.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja.
According to him, the police acted after interrogating 13 individuals earlier apprehended in connection with the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest, all of whom reportedly identified Sowore as the person who led them into the restricted area.
“Every one of the suspects mentioned that one Sowore led them to the area in contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin said.
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“It would be unfair to prosecute some and exempt the person who led them. In the spirit of fairness and justice, Sowore was arrested today.”
He added that Sowore, like the others, would not be held for more than 24 hours as the police planned to arraign him immediately after finalizing his charges.
Earlier, 13 protesters were arrested for violating a court order that prohibited demonstrations in specific parts of Abuja.
Eight were apprehended around the Transcorp area, while five others were picked up near the Ministry of Finance.
Hundeyin noted that the suspects were promptly arraigned within 24 hours of their arrest.
