The Nigeria Police Force has defended its decision to transfer human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to the Kuje Correctional Centre shortly after he was granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Abuja.
Sowore, who was arrested on Thursday over allegations of incitement and public disturbance, was arraigned alongside 12 others on Friday before the Kuje Magistrate Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although the court approved his bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties, Sowore was moved to Kuje Prison before his lawyers could complete the bail process.
Human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju, who witnessed the incident, accused the police of using force to re-arrest Sowore moments after the court session ended. He alleged that over 50 armed officers invaded the court premises, assaulted the activist, and whisked him away without presenting any fresh warrant.
Reacting to the allegations, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, maintained that the police acted within legal boundaries and followed standard procedure.
Hundeyin, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), shared a copy of the remand warrant, explaining that Sowore’s transfer to Kuje was in compliance with the court’s directive.
“Once a suspect is granted bail, they remain in custody until all bail conditions are met,” Hundeyin stated. “Where the remand order specifically directs that the suspect be held in a correctional facility, the police are obligated to transfer the suspect to the Nigeria Correctional Service.”
He added that the police were within their powers to use “reasonable and commensurate force” in ensuring lawful execution of their duties.
“This has always been the procedure, the police hand over suspects to correctional authorities pending the fulfillment of bail terms. There’s nothing unusual about this case,” he noted.
Sowore’s arrest stemmed from his involvement in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration held earlier in the week, which authorities had previously warned against.
The activist’s supporters have since condemned the police action, describing it as “an attempt to silence dissent,” while his legal team continues efforts to perfect his bail conditions.
