Fresh revelations have emerged suggesting that police officers and a Kuje Magistrate allegedly conspired to ensure that human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, was forcefully taken to prison on Friday, despite meeting bail conditions granted by the court.
According to SaharaReporters, the incident followed what sources described as a “pre-arranged plan” between officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command and the presiding Senior Magistrate, to keep the activist in detention.
Planned Ordeal at Kuje Court
Eyewitnesses told the platform that before Sowore’s court appearance, security operatives had been deployed in large numbers across the Kuje community, with armoured vehicles stationed around the courthouse. Those entering the court were reportedly frisked and harassed.
Upon his arrival, the Magistrate allegedly exchanged pleasantries with senior police officers before entering the courtroom. After proceedings, the Magistrate reportedly granted Sowore bail under what observers described as “strenuous conditions.”
However, immediately after court adjourned, the Magistrate was said to have been summoned to his chambers by police lawyers and senior officers — identified as CSP Ilyasu Barau, ACP Victor, and a lead counsel, Adama. Shortly afterward, events took a violent turn.
Judge Intimidated, Sowore Assaulted
Sources claimed that the officers confronted the Magistrate, allegedly threatening him and demanding that he issue a remand warrant instead of finalizing the bail process. “The Magistrate was told that the Inspector-General of Police wanted Sowore remanded for as long as possible,” one insider was quoted as saying.
It was further alleged that the Magistrate was compelled to sign the remand warrant before being driven away from the court premises — preventing him from completing Sowore’s bail documentation.
Moments later, police officers reportedly turned on Sowore and his supporters, seizing their phones and physically assaulting several individuals, including lawyers.
CSP Barau was accused of leading the assault, allegedly punching and attempting to tear Sowore’s clothes while ordering officers to drag him into a waiting police van.
Lawyers and bystanders who questioned the police actions were also assaulted, including a court staff member who was briefly detained for filming the encounter. Sowore’s counsel, Temitope Temokun, reportedly insisted that only the court and the Correctional Service had the legal mandate to handle remand procedures, but was allegedly manhandled alongside others.
Transfer to Kuje Prison
When the police delivered Sowore to the Kuje Correctional Centre, prison officials reportedly resisted initial attempts by the police to forcefully hand him over, stating that the matter was strictly between the court and the Correctional Service.
Despite having completed his bail process by 1 p.m., Sowore and other detained protesters were allegedly kept behind bars until late evening as the Magistrate, who was expected to sign the bail bond, remained unreachable.
Police Justify Actions
Reacting to the widespread outrage, Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin defended the police actions, arguing that a court-granted bail does not automatically translate to immediate release until all bail conditions are fully met.
Hundeyin wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle that it is the duty of law enforcement to transfer any suspect under remand order to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) pending completion of bail formalities.
“Once a court grants a suspect bail, it comes with the caveat that until bail conditions are met, the suspect remains in custody,” Hundeyin stated.
“Where a remand warrant specifies a correctional facility, the police must hand the suspect to the NCS, who will then process the bail conditions. This has always been the practice,” he added, insisting that officers are “empowered to use commensurate force” where necessary.
Background
The incident occurred just a day after Sowore and several activists were arrested during a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. Reports indicate that more than 50 officers stormed the Kuje Magistrate Court, attacking Sowore, his lawyers, and even a food vendor during the fracas.
Witnesses accused the police of ignoring the court’s bail order and operating under a “secret remand directive.”
As of Friday night, Sowore remained in custody alongside others arrested during the protest.
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