Human rights activist and convener of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, has reportedly been re-arrested by officers of the Nigerian Police Force shortly after being granted bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, Abuja. The dramatic turn of events has raised concerns among legal practitioners and human rights groups about due process and the treatment of peaceful protesters in Nigeria.
According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, more than fifty police officers stormed the location and violently took Sowore away soon after the court had issued his release order. Adeyanju described the incident as “brazen and unlawful,” highlighting that the police did not present any valid arrest or remand order before taking Sowore back into custody.
Lawyers Question Police Conduct
Adeyanju explained that when his legal team demanded to see the arrest warrant, a police officer briefly flashed a piece of paper before immediately putting it back in his pocket, preventing the lawyers from reading its contents. “We couldn’t even read what was written on it,” Adeyanju stated. He added that Sowore’s clothes were torn during the altercation as he was forcefully dragged away to Kuje Prison, with officers allegedly claiming that the activist had insulted the Inspector-General of Police by calling him “useless.”
Legal observers and human rights advocates have criticized the manner of Sowore’s re-arrest, describing it as an assault on the principles of justice and an attack on citizens’ constitutional rights to bail and peaceful protest. Many have called for immediate clarification and accountability from the Nigerian Police Force regarding the justification for the aggressive action against a court-sanctioned release.
Arrest Follows Bail Ruling
The violent re-arrest took place shortly after the Kuje Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Sowore, Aloy Ejimakor, the lawyer representing detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, and eleven others who had been arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. The court had admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties in like amount. The accused were facing charges of inciting public disturbance and breach of peace following the protest in Abuja on Monday, which aimed to demand the release of Kanu.
Before this re-arrest, Sowore had attended the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 23 to show solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges. His presence at the court and subsequent peaceful engagement with supporters preceded the violent intervention by the police. The sequence of events has since drawn widespread attention on social media and among rights organizations, further fueling the debate on the state of civil liberties and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Public Outcry and Reactions
Following the re-arrest, public reaction has been swift and vocal. Human rights organizations have condemned the action, with some describing it as a dangerous precedent that undermines judicial authority and the rights of citizens. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage, demanding that Sowore and other peaceful protesters be released immediately and that the police adhere strictly to legal procedures. Observers have also highlighted the need for reform in law enforcement practices, particularly concerning the treatment of activists and individuals involved in peaceful demonstrations.
The incident continues to generate discussions about the Nigerian government’s approach to dissent and the protection of constitutional rights, with legal experts emphasizing that a court-approved bail order should be respected to maintain the integrity of the judicial system and the rule of law.
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"More than 50 police officers violently attacked him [Omoyele Sowore] and took him again by force."@adeyanjudeji says @YeleSowore was re-arrested by over 50 police officers shortly after being granted bail, with officers refusing to show the alleged remand order. pic.twitter.com/5iqpNnYK9L
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) October 24, 2025