SOWORE, NNAMDI KANU’S LAWYER RELEASED FROM KUJE PRISON AFTER FOUR DAYS IN DETENTION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, have regained their freedom after spending four days in Kuje Prison, Abuja.
Sowore announced his release on Monday via X, writing:
“Happening Now: Leaving Kuje Prison in Abuja after being detained there illegally for four days. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”
The activist and Ejimakor were among those arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja last week. They were arraigned before a Kuje Magistrate Court on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.
On Friday, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id granted bail to Sowore, Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu (Nnamdi Kanu’s brother), and ten others. Each defendant was granted ₦500,000 bail with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), valid identification, a three-year tax clearance, and submission of their international passports.
Despite meeting all bail conditions, Sowore’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, said the activist was “forcefully taken away” from the court premises to Kuje Prison by armed policemen an act he described as “unnecessary, premeditated, and illegal.”
Speaking after his release, Aloy Ejimakor recounted a “traumatic and inhumane” experience in detention, accusing the police of excessive use of force during and after the protest.
“People cooperating with the police were shoved, beaten, and some sustained injuries. Tear gas canisters were deployed directly at most of us. If we didn’t have strong lungs, some of us would have died on the spot,” Ejimakor said.
He further condemned what he termed “unlawful and unnecessary brutality,” revealing that even at the Force CID, Garki, tear gas was used on detainees who were already in custody.
Ejimakor clarified that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest was peaceful and aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation to withdraw charges against the detained IPOB leader.
“If the presidency or the attorney general withdraws the case, the court will have nothing to try. Our protest was directed at the presidency, not the judiciary,” he explained.
The Police had charged Sowore, Ejimakor, and others with inciting public disturbance and breach of peace, accusing them of obstructing traffic and chanting war songs during the rally.
Sowore, however, maintained that the protesters were peaceful and accused security operatives of launching an unprovoked attack on the demonstrators.
Their release on Monday follows widespread criticism of their detention, which rights groups and lawyers described as a violation of fundamental human rights and freedom of assembly.
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