Omoyele Sowore regains freedom after four days in Kuje

Omoyele Sowore has regained freedom after four days in Kuje Prison, following his arrest during a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja

Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, has regained his freedom after spending four days in Kuje Prison, Abuja, following his arrest during a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

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Sowore confirmed his release on Monday via a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “HAPPENING NOW:

Leaving Kuje Prison in Abuja after being detained there illegally for four days by @officialABAT illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”

The activist was arrested last week alongside Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu’s younger brother Emmanuel Kanu, and 11 other protesters by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force during a peaceful demonstration in Abuja.

They were arraigned last Friday before Magistrate Abubakar Sai’id of the Kuje Magistrate Court, on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.

In his ruling, Magistrate Sai’id granted bail to each of the 14 defendants in the sum of ₦500,000, with conditions including the presentation of a verified National Identification Number (NIN), submission of a three-year tax clearance certificate, and the deposit of their passports.

After meeting the bail conditions, Sowore and the others were officially released on Monday.

Sowore’s arrest had come shortly after he left the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he attended a hearing related to the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Also read: Police clarify Sowore remand amid false arrest claims

The activist, known for his strong advocacy for human rights and democratic reform, has faced multiple arrests in the past over his activism and political campaigns, yet continues to champion calls for justice, transparency, and civil freedom in Nigeria.

Quadri Olaitan