Several Nigerian lawyers have cried our over the arrest of the 2023 presidential candidate and National Leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore following last Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest which was held at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and several other cities.

During the peaceful protest, the Police reportedly attacked the peaceful protesters for allegedly disobeying a court order stopping them from entering certain areas in the FCT.

They arrested his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu and 10 others. Sowore was later arrested at the court premises when he attended Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

Barrister Onyinye Gandhi Chukwunyere, an activist and Sowore’s official spokesperson, who spoke to Sunday Independent exclusively, said: “We’re utterly outraged by the arrest of Comrade Omoyele Sowore and the brave protesters who took to the streets on October 20, 2025, to demand the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“How dare they fire live bullets and teargas at peaceful Nigerians simply for exercising their constitutional right to protest as enshrined under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (As amended)?

“Thirteen citizens, including Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, were brutalised and thrown into Kuje Prison like common criminals.

“And then, just three days later, on October 23, they snatched Sowore right outside the Federal High Court, where he went to stand in solidarity with those earlier arrested. This is not law enforcement; this is state terrorism.

“Nnamdi Kanu has been locked up for over four years, even after the Court of Appeal discharged him in October 2022, and the Supreme Court ordered a fair trial.

“Yet, the government clings to its vindictive and unjust persecution of the man for holding contrarian views about the country; the same views once held by Tinubu dome years ago when he stated that he did not belief in one Nigeria.

“We vehemently condemn this arrest. We consider it wicked, illegal, and a direct attack on our collective freedom. We demand their immediate release now!

“I should add that Sowore’s repeated arrests are personal to every decent Nigerian, because they now know the man, many have marched beside him, and have seen the scars left on him by incessant attacks from the Nigerian state.

“Since August 2024, they have grabbed him at least four times—first at Lagos Airport for daring to support #EndBadGovernance; then in January 2025 for calling out the ‘illegal IGP’, and again on August 7, 2025, when police beat him so badly he needed hospital care.

“This isn’t governance; it’s a vendetta. They fear his voice because he speaks truth to power, and he now stands as the conscience of this nation.”

Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and strong advocate of social justice, the recent arrest of Omoyele Sowore and other protesters calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, once again, tests Nigeria’s democratic maturity.

Barrister Ojo, the Managing Partner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, a leading law firm in Nigeria, maintained that peaceful protest is not rebellion.

Speaking exclusively with Sunday Independent, Ojo, said: “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right protected under Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“When citizens are detained for expressing dissent in a lawful and non-violent manner, it raises fundamental concerns about the shrinking civic space and the state’s commitment to democratic norms.

“While the government has the duty to maintain law and order, such duty must always be exercised within the boundaries of legality and proportionality.

“Sowore’s repeated arrests over the years have created an unfortunate pattern that portrays dissent as a crime and activism as defiance.

“Selective enforcement of the law undermines institutional legitimacy and breeds public cynicism.

“Democracy thrives on engagement, not intimidation. Nigeria must strengthen its law-enforcement culture to respect human rights, ensure prompt and transparent judicial processes, and adopt non-violent methods of crowd control.

“Activists and the government may differ on policy, but both share responsibility for sustaining the rule of law.

“True leadership listens, it does not silence. The state must demonstrate that protest is not an offence and that constitutional freedoms remain sacrosanct.

“Protecting those rights is not a favour to citizens. It is a legal and moral duty owed by every government that claims democratic legitimacy.”

Barrister Emeka Iheonu, another Lagos lawyer and member of the African Bar Association (ABA), stated: “ The Nigeria Police stated that Sowore was arrested for disobeying an Order of Court by protesting against the continued detention of Mazi Nnanna Kanu.

“Recall that there was a peaceful protest on Monday by Sowore and others in Abuja before the protesters were dispersed by the Police shooting teargas canisters at the crowd.

“It should be noted that the said Order was not served on Sowore. It is trite that an Order obtained through a motion ex parte is to be served on the parties to keep them notified.

“The Order was made in the case of FRN vs. Sowore, which is not a criminal charge, but a civil matter. Any alleged disobedience of that Order ought to be regarded as a civil contempt ex facie curiae or a contempt which occurred outside the face of the court.

“The Police ought to have approached the court by a motion on notice seeking an order of committal against Sowore.

“Only the court can issue a warrant of arrest against Sowore upon an application and proof of service by the Police. Constitutionally, Nigerians have the right to associate freely and express their minds against unfair actions of the Government. Suppressing such rights means that a dictator is ruling the country.

The constant arrest of Sowore in recent times for speaking against bad actions and policies of the Nigerian nation shows the resilience and patriotism in him.

“He was even expelled from the University of Lagos (Unilag) at a point for his speaking against bad policies.

“His constant arrest shows that the government does not condone the mobilisation of Nigerians who are against its bad policies and actions.”

Sowore Rearrested, Returned To Jail After Bail

However, Sowore, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, a former member of Kanu’s legal team, Aloy Ejimakor and 10 others, were granted bail on Friday after meeting their bail conditions.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory, possessing valid identification, and a three-year tax clearance.

Curiously, Sowore was re-arrested by the Nigerian Police shortly after his appearance at the Kuje Magistrate Court on Friday.

Sowore was reportedly picked up again and whisked away by police officers and returned to Kuje Prison shortly after the proceedings. (Sunday Independent)