Metro

Sowore Released: Police deny torture claims

The Nigeria Police Force has defended the arrest and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, citing allegations of forgery, cyberstalking, and other offenses.
In a statement issued on Friday by Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police said Sowore’s detention was “lawful” and carried out “in full compliance with extant legal provisions, and with strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, due process, and the rights of the suspect.”
DCP Adejobi said, The activist was arrested based on credible, corroborated allegations involving criminal offences such as forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions currently under active investigation.
”He was released on bail well within the 48-hour constitutional window in line with Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution”, he added.
The police have denied allegations of torture, stating that they maintain a zero-tolerance policy for torture in line with the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and international human rights obligations.
They claimed that Sowore was not subjected to any form of inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody.
It addressed viral images showing the activist with a bandaged arm, saying, “The bandage was part of his personal belongings at the time he honoured the Police’s invitation prior to his arrest and detention.”
The police said the Inspector-General of Police had ordered an internal investigation into how he accessed the bandage in custody, especially after allegedly declining medical examinations twice offered by independent police medical teams “on 7 and 8 August.
“The record must show that the opportunity for independent medical verification was twice provided and twice rejected,” the statement added.
The statement emphasised that Sowore’s detention was backed by a valid court remand order and “anchored on legal authority, devoid of malice, bias, or political undertones.”
The Force urged the public and media to avoid “sensationalism” and warned that “no individual, regardless of their status, influence, or social media reach, is above the law.”
Sowore was released from custody on Friday evening after being detained for allegedly honouring a police invitation over allegations of forgery and inciting disturbance.
In a post on X, he accused the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police of unlawful conduct but thanked supporters for standing by him.
Sowore’s arrest had sparked widespread condemnation, with many describing it as an abuse of power and a threat to democracy.
Some notable figures who have reacted to the arrest include,
Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President describing the arrest as “a shameful abuse of power” driven by “personal vendetta”.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate said the detention was “a miscarriage of justice and an abuse of state power”.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned that repeated arrests and detentions of activists could signal a return to dictatorship where dissent is suppressed.
There were also protests at the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, demanding for Sowore’s release
Demonstrators accused the police of intimidation and called for Sowore’s immediate release.
Amnesty International also called for his unconditional release, saying that attempting to drag him to court without recourse to his lawyer is a flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also
Close
Back to top button