The police have defended the re-arresting of Human Rights Activist, Omoyele Sowore, after he won bail courtesy a court order today Friday.
His supporters however recounted the scenario and warned of consequences.
CSP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN –WHY POLICE TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY AGAIN
Except we want to be mischievous, we all know that once court grants a suspect bail, it comes with the caveat that until the bail conditions are met, the suspect remains in custody.
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 who would then process his bail conditions. This has always been the practice. Why should this be different?
Also, as law enFORCEment officers, we are empowered by law to employ commensurate force to get our mandate achieved.
A tweet by Tope Temokun for Omoyele Sowore writing from the Magistrate court, Kuje, today Friday, October 24, 2025, said:
POLICE SHOW OF SHAME IN COURT TODAY ABDUCTING SOWORE AGAIN IN COURT PREMISES IN KUJE SHORTLY AFTER BAIL WAS GRANTED
Today, within the hallowed precincts of justice, the courtroom, a scene most shocking and shameful unfolded before our very eyes.
After the court had freely and honorably granted bail to human rights defender Omoyele Sowore on liberal terms, a detachment of police officers, led by CSP Iliyasu, OC Anti Vice, State Command CID, invaded the court premises in a display of raw impunity and disdain for the rule of law. They descended violently upon Omoyele Sowore snd those present and, in the full glare of the public, abducted Sowore and whisked him away.
In the course of standing up against this brazen illegality, I and others were physically assaulted; I sustained injuries and my bib was blood-stained in the chaos that ensued. The officers, in a most unruly and undisciplined manner, rough-handled Sowore away and whisked him away.
Let it be known that Sowore was not taken to prison, for any legal justification. Instead, the police spirited him away to an unknown destination, a clear and direct affront to the authority of the court, a mockery of the rule of law, and a violation of the fundamental rights of a citizen.
The judiciary is the last hope of the common man. The magistrate displayed courage despite stiff opposition from the police to frustrate bail. That was what irked them. What we saw after was not law or anything close to legality, its police and executive brigandage.
Today marks a dark and painful moment for justice and democracy in Nigeria. Yet, it is also a moment of reckoning, a call to conscience.
To our fellow countrymen who once fell for the propaganda of “enforcing court orders, let this incident serve as an awakening. The government and it’s enforcers are not after enforcing or obedience to court order but just a schemed propaganda to cajole those cant see through to a sinister end.
We call upon the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of justice to rise in unison and condemn this reckless desecration of our judicial institution.
We demand deference to the order of court granting bail.
