Why Sowore was arrested during Kanu's trial

The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reason behind the arrest of a human rights activist and the former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore after his appearance at the federal high court for the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The Force, in a statement by his Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin during a media conference on Thursday in Abuja, said it arrested Sowore for luring protesters into a restricted area to protest in contravention of an order of a court.

“Sowore has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, and the reason is that the 13 people that were arrested previously in connection to the “FreeNnadiKanu” protest gave their statements.

“From the statements, every one of them mentioned that one Sowore led them into the restricted area in contravention of the court order.

“So it would be most unfair to charge some people to court and leave the person that led them to commit the offence.

“And that’s why, in the spirit of fair play, and to ensure that justice is served, Sowore was arrested today,” he said.

According to the police spokesman, like the others too, Sowore will not spend up to 24 hours with the police because we will arraign him as soon as we wrap up his charges.

“In fact, if everything goes right, our plan is to ensure that he’s arraigned today,” he said.

Hundeyin further highlighted that no fewer than 13 suspects had been arrested in connection to the protest for violating an order of a court restricting protest in some areas in Abuja, adding that eight of the suspects were arrested on Monday around the Transcorp area of Abuja, while five others were arrested around the Ministry of Finance.

Source: Vanguard newspaper