The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemned the arrest and continued detention of human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner, and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, describing the action of the Nigeria Police Force as “unlawful” and a “breach of constitutional rights.”
Sowore was arrested on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after honouring an invitation from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He has remained in custody since then without being charged in court.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, said Sowore’s detention was due to his alleged refusal to make a statement in the presence of his lawyers, pending petitions against him over alleged forgery of a police document and cyberbullying, and the police’s “duties and responsibilities” when a suspect opts to remain silent.
However, RULAAC rejected these explanations as “untenable and misleading,” insisting they contravene the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act 2020, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The group noted that Section 35(2) of both the Constitution and the Police Act guarantees the right of an arrested person to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination, stressing that a suspect’s refusal to make a statement is not a lawful reason for prolonged detention.
RULAAC also accused the police of breaching Section 35(4) of the Constitution, which mandates that an arrested person be brought before a court within 24 to 48 hours, or be released on bail as provided under Section 62 of the ACJA. It said Sowore has been held without any remand order from a court.
The rights group pointed out that even if the allegations of forgery and cyberbullying were true—which Sowore denies—they are bailable offences under Nigerian law. It stressed that Sowore’s voluntary honouring of the police invitation showed he posed no flight risk.
While the police have denied claims of brutality, Sowore has alleged from custody that his hand was broken during arrest and that he has been denied medical attention. RULAAC described these as “serious allegations of torture and inhuman treatment” in violation of the Constitution, the Anti-Torture Act 2017, and the Police Act.
The group alleged that Sowore’s recent activism, including protests for improved police welfare and criticism of a recent promotion exercise, may have prompted his arrest, accusing the police of using their powers to silence dissent.
RULAAC called for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, urgent medical care for his injuries, and an independent investigation into his arrest and treatment in custody. It also demanded an end to what it termed “the misuse of the police to harass citizens for exercising their constitutional rights.”
“The Nigeria Police Force must remember that protecting constitutional rights is not optional—it is their primary duty under the law,” RULAAC stated.
