The Nigeria Police Force says Omoyele Sowore was taken to Kuje Prison after being granted bail because his conditions were yet to be fulfilled, insisting the move was lawful.
The Nigeria Police Force has explained why human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was transferred to Kuje Prison shortly after being granted bail by a magistrate court in Abuja on Friday.
Sowore was arrested on Thursday on charges of incitement and breach of public peace following his #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. He was arraigned alongside 12 others before the Kuje Magistrate Court, where he pleaded not guilty. The court granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties.
Shortly after the ruling, Sowore was reportedly forcefully taken away by over 50 armed police officers, an incident that drew public outrage. Activist Deji Adeyanju alleged that officers attacked and dragged Sowore away while his lawyers were still perfecting his bail.
However, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the action was lawful, explaining that “until bail conditions are met, the suspect remains in custody.”
He added, “Where it is clearly spelt out on the remand warrant that the suspect be remanded in a correctional facility, not police custody, it is the duty of the police to hand over the suspect to the Nigeria Correctional Service. This has always been the practice.”