Amanze Chinonye
Publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has been released after spending four days in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
Sowore was arrested on Thursday, October 23, 2025, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force shortly after leaving the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he had attended proceedings related to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The activist was apprehended alongside twelve others for leading a peaceful protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, which called for the release of Kanu and other political detainees.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFollowing their arrest, the group was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Kuje and charged with unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.
The court granted them bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each with strict conditions, including submission of National Identification Numbers, tax clearance certificates, and international passports. However, Sowore and his co-defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail terms.
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On Monday, October 27, 2025, they were released after meeting the bail conditions. Confirming his release, Sowore posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Leaving Kuje Prison … after being detained there illegally for four days … #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”
The Nigeria Police Force later defended its handling of the case, stating that Sowore’s remand was procedural and in accordance with court directives until bail conditions were fulfilled.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, however, condemned the activist’s detention, describing it as “a clear assault on the rule of law.” He said, “This is happening in the same country that some lawyers are pretending that there is rule of law.
If Sowore’s lawyers protest now, the same lawyers who have refused to condemn this madness will suddenly find their voices and begin to lecture the protesting lawyers about ethics of the profession.”
Sowore, a 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and an outspoken critic of government policies, has faced multiple arrests in recent years for his activism and protests against what he describes as “state oppression and abuse of power.”
Civil society groups, including the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), have condemned his repeated arrests, calling for stronger protection of civil liberties and freedom of assembly in Nigeria.
Sowore’s latest detention highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement agencies and activists, as well as concerns over the implementation of court orders and respect for fundamental human rights.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
