Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that more than 50 armed officers surrounded the court premises, mounted roadblocks, and restricted movement while monitoring Sowore’s bail hearing following the arrest of protesters over the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.
Tension erupted on Friday at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja when heavily armed police officers violently disrupted court proceedings, attacking human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, several lawyers, and even a food vendor in an attempt to rearrest the activist.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that more than 50 armed officers surrounded the court premises, mounted roadblocks, and restricted movement while monitoring Sowore’s bail hearing following the arrest of protesters over the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.
According to multiple accounts, chaos broke out immediately after the court granted Sowore bail. Police personnel, reportedly acting under the directive of a Chief Superintendent of Police identified as CSP Iliyasu Barau, descended on Sowore and those around him, tearing his clothes, beating him, and dragging him on the ground before bundling him into a waiting vehicle.
A lawyer who came for a separate case was also beaten and arrested while making a phone call within the court premises.
Speaking to journalists after the violent scene, Sowore’s lawyer, Barrister Tope Temokun, who was among those assaulted, condemned the attack as “a shameful desecration of the sanctity of the court.”
“The police were visibly disappointed because the court granted Sowore bail,” Temokun said.
“They descended on everyone, lawyers, observers, and even the woman selling food on the court premises. Her table was destroyed, her food scattered, and people were beaten mercilessly.”
Temokun explained that the magistrate had granted Sowore bail under clear terms, two sureties, N500,000 bond, valid tax clearance, and a means of identification, but said the police refused to respect the order.
“When we asked why they were taking Sowore away, the CSP showed us a paper he called a ‘mandate’ but refused to display it. We questioned why the police, instead of prison officials, were the ones taking him into custody. Before we could get any explanation, they descended on us again,” he recounted.
The lawyer said several people sustained injuries in the attack, while Sowore was dragged violently into a police vehicle and taken to an undisclosed location.
“As we speak, we do not know where Sowore has been taken. This is illegality of the highest order,” Temokun said, displaying his bloodstained lawyer’s gown as proof of the assault.
He condemned the incident and called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to urgently intervene and hold the police accountable.
