Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore was arrested on Thursday inside the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. Armed police officers picked him up on the court premises and insisted he must follow them to the FCT Police Command.

When Sowore asked why he was being taken away, one of the officers said they were acting on the Commissioner of Police’s instructions. Sowore questioned the absence of a formal invitation and said his lawyer must be present. He was later driven away in a police van after his lawyer arrived.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong confirmed the arrest on X and criticised the action, calling it “preposterous” and urging the authorities to release Sowore immediately.

Monday’s background to today’s arrest is the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, which Sowore joined. During that protest on 20 October 2025, police arrested Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others. They were later remanded at Kuje Prison.

In a First Information Report filed before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, police alleged the defendants held the protest in defiance of a court order, chanted war songs, and disrupted traffic. 

The FIR lists criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace, said to be offences under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code. The court has fixed Friday for the defendants to take their plea.

Sowore has long demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu and has repeatedly appeared at court to show support. Today’s arrest raises fresh questions about the handling of protests around the trial and the limits placed on supporters who attend court proceedings. More updates are expected after the Friday sitting.