Police Clarify Sowore’s Transfer to Kuje Prison, Say Action Followed Court Order

The Nigeria Police Force has explained why human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was transferred to Kuje Prison shortly after being granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday.

Sowore, who was arrested on Thursday for alleged incitement and breach of public peace, was arraigned alongside 12 others for leading the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held on Monday, despite prior warnings from security agencies.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties. However, before his legal team could finalize the bail process, police officers reportedly re-arrested and transferred him to Kuje Prison.

Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, who witnessed the incident, accused the police of violently attacking and removing Sowore from the court premises without presenting a valid remand order. He alleged that over 50 armed officers stormed the courtroom, tore Sowore’s clothes, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.

Adeyanju said the lead officer briefly displayed what appeared to be a remand order but refused to allow Sowore’s lawyers to inspect it. He further claimed the officers justified their actions by alleging that Sowore had insulted the Inspector General of Police.

In response to the public outcry, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, defended the police action on X (formerly Twitter), stating that it was in line with due process.

Hundeyin explained that since the court’s remand warrant specifically directed that Sowore be held in a correctional facility pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions, the police were legally bound to transfer him to Kuje Prison.

“Once bail is granted, the suspect remains in custody until all conditions are perfected. Where the remand order specifies a correctional facility, the police must hand over the suspect to the Nigeria Correctional Service,” he stated.

He added that officers are empowered by law to use “commensurate force” when carrying out their duties and that the transfer of Sowore was not an act of intimidation but a lawful procedure.