Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that more than 50 armed officers surrounded the court premises, mounted roadblocks, and restricted movement while monitoring Sowore’s bail hearing following the arrest of protesters over the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.
Tension erupted on Friday at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja when heavily armed police officers violently disrupted court proceedings, attacking human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, several lawyers, and even a food vendor in an attempt to rearrest the activist.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that more than 50 armed officers surrounded the court premises, mounted roadblocks, and restricted movement while monitoring Sowore’s bail hearing following the arrest of protesters over the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.
According to multiple accounts, chaos broke out immediately after the court granted Sowore bail. Police personnel, reportedly acting under the directive of a Chief Superintendent of Police identified as CSP Iliyasu Barau, descended on Sowore and those around him, tearing his clothes, beating him, and dragging him on the ground before bundling him into a waiting vehicle.
A lawyer who came for a separate case was also beaten and arrested while making a phone call within the court premises.
Speaking to journalists after the violent scene, Sowore’s lawyer, Barrister Tope Temokun, who was among those assaulted, condemned the attack as “a shameful desecration of the sanctity of the court.”
“The police were visibly disappointed because the court granted Sowore bail,” Temokun said.
“They descended on everyone, lawyers, observers, and even the woman selling food on the court premises. Her table was destroyed, her food scattered, and people were beaten mercilessly.”
Temokun explained that the magistrate had granted Sowore bail under clear terms, two sureties, N500,000 bond, valid tax clearance, and a means of identification, but said the police refused to respect the order.
“When we asked why they were taking Sowore away, the CSP showed us a paper he called a ‘mandate’ but refused to display it. We questioned why the police, instead of prison officials, were the ones taking him into custody. Before we could get any explanation, they descended on us again,” he recounted.
The lawyer said several people sustained injuries in the attack, while Sowore was dragged violently into a police vehicle and taken to an undisclosed location.
“As we speak, we do not know where Sowore has been taken. This is illegality of the highest order,” Temokun said, displaying his bloodstained lawyer’s gown as proof of the assault.
He condemned the incident and called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to urgently intervene and hold the police accountable.
“This is a gross violation of human rights and an embarrassment to the judiciary,” he said. “If the magistrate had denied bail, that would have been a different issue. But once the court has granted bail in line with the law, the police have no right to interfere.”
Temokun warned that continued police disregard for judicial authority could destroy Nigerians’ confidence in the justice system.
“If we allow this to continue, Nigerians will lose faith in the judiciary and the court process,” he said.
‘Disgraceful abuse of power’
In a video seen by SaharaReporters, Temokun also addressed Nigerians directly, narrating in detail the events that unfolded in court and condemning what he called “a disgraceful abuse of power.”
“People were brought to court because they said they protested against a court order. We are still challenging the propriety of even the arraignment on the ground that you said people violated a court order by protesting,” he said.
“We never heard of a constitution in this country, even despite all its defects, designating places where people should protest. If a protest is illegal, it is illegal. If it is not illegal, it is not illegal. You cannot say people can protest in that street but not in this street.”
He continued, “The police have been masquerading as law enforcers and blackmailing the defendants that they protested against a court order. But what we witnessed in court today is the direct opposite of the propaganda they have been selling to the public.
“The majority of us have already fallen for that propaganda, already accusing the defendants. But what we saw here today was that the magistrate courageously granted bail, which is an order of the court.
“He gave very liberal bail conditions; two sureties worth N500,000 with tax clearance and a means of identification. The police were so disappointed. Some of the senior police officers came to monitor the proceedings themselves.
“With about 50 police officers present, two roadblocks were mounted early in the morning. The entire premises were cordoned off. And when they saw that the perversion of justice was not going as planned, the CSP led officers to attack us, lawyers, journalists, and even innocent people, including food vendors.
“The woman selling food was manhandled. Her table was destroyed. The food was scattered. Sowore was bundled violently. People were holding his legs in that vehicle. In the course of that, some of us who asked questions, ‘Where are you taking him?’ were attacked too. The CSP showed a paper he called a remand order, but refused to show it to us.”
“We asked if he was taking Sowore to prison custody, on what grounds? If Sowore had not perfected his bail, prison officers should be here. Why must it be the police? Why must it be you? They refused to answer. Instead, they descended on everybody. I was injured. We were manhandled. Sowore’s clothes were torn. They forced him into their vehicle and took him away.”
“As we speak, we don’t know where he is. But we are still trying to perfect the bail today. Then we want the police to justify whatever reason they have to keep him. This is illegality.”
“A CSP led more than 50 officers. Even a lawyer who came for another matter entirely was arrested. People were beaten and dragged. That is what the police have done today. They talk about court orders; there is a court order now, and today they have come to violate it. Not just to violate a court order, but to desecrate the sanctity of the court premises. It’s an embarrassment.”
“We call on the Attorney-General, because we know this is about the Nigerian State. We call on him to act. If the Inspector-General of Police will not see this and act reasonably, then what hope is left for justice in this country?” he added.