The Nigeria Police Force has revealed the reasons for the continued detention of human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.
Speaking to journalists and protesters in Abuja on Friday, the Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, said Sowore was being held after he refused to make a statement during interrogation at the Force Headquarters.
According to Shogunle, two petitions were presented to the activist in the presence of his lawyers — one alleging the forgery of a police document published online, and another accusing him of cyberbullying.
“The two petitions against Omoyele Sowore were shown to him right in my presence. His lawyers were there, but he declined to make a statement,” Shogunle said in a video streamed by Sahara Reporters.
Sowore had honoured an invitation by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit on Wednesday but was arrested after failing to respond to the allegations.
Shogunle stressed that the police acted in line with the law, explaining that while suspects have the right to remain silent, the police equally have a duty to follow legal procedures when an accused person refuses to speak.
“The procedure under Nigerian law is very clear. The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also gives the police certain responsibilities. We won’t say because you have decided to keep mute, you can go,” he said.
Addressing concerns over his prolonged detention beyond the constitutionally allowed 24 hours, Shogunle insisted that due process was being followed. He also dismissed claims of mistreatment, offering to allow a few protesters to visit Sowore to confirm his condition.
Amid mounting protests in Lagos, Abuja, Osun and Oyo states demanding his release, the police have maintained that the activist’s arrest and detention remain lawful.
