The Nigeria Police Drive has defended the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist, saying he allegedly led protesters right into a restricted space within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) regardless of a courtroom order prohibiting such gatherings.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Drive Public Relations Officer, disclosed this whereas addressing journalists throughout a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He acknowledged that Sowore’s arrest was linked to his alleged function in violating an present restriction order meant to protect public order in elements of the capital metropolis.
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“In the present day, Omoyele Sowore has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Drive. Chances are you’ll ask why he was arrested. The reason being easy.
“The 13 folks beforehand arrested all talked about that Sowore led them into the restricted space, in clear contravention of the courtroom order”, Hundeyin mentioned
He defined that the police discovered it essential to arrest the activist in any case earlier apprehended protesters reportedly recognized him as their chief.
“It will be unjust to prosecute these already arrested whereas leaving out the individual alleged to have led them,” Hundeyin added.
In line with the police spokesman, eight protesters had been initially picked up on Monday close to the Transcorp space of Abuja, whereas one other 5 had been arrested across the Ministry of Finance, making a complete of 13.
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“They had been arraigned the very subsequent day and didn’t spend as much as 24 hours in our custody,” he mentioned.
Hundeyin famous that Sowore, who was taken into custody later, can be charged to courtroom as soon as investigations are accomplished.
The police maintained that the protest breached a subsisting restriction order aimed toward sustaining public order inside delicate areas of the FCT, warning that future violations can be met with related lawful enforcement actions.
