The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has condemned, in strong terms, the re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore by Nigeria Police after he was granted bail by the Kuje Magistrate court in Abuja on Friday.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, the OPC said such actions raised serious concerns regarding the respect for fundamental rights and due process by state agents under the Nigerian law.
Sowore had earlier on Monday, October 20, led a peaceful protest in Abuja as part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstrations that spread to other parts of the country.
The activist was later on Thursday arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja by armed policemen, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
He was brought to court on Friday and was granted bail. Shockingly, he was re-arrested by the Nigeria Police shortly after his court appearance.
Sowore, alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, a former member of Kanu’s legal team, and ten others, had earlier met their bail conditions.
The court granted them bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory and possessing valid identification and three years of tax clearance.
Oguntimehin noted that ordinarily, protest is an integral part of democracy, saying that besides the fact that the protest was not violent, lives and property were also not destroyed.
“Even at that, since Sowore had been charged to court and was granted bail, why should the Police re-arrest him? This act of the Nigeria Police is reminiscent of the military era when the government was not receptive of divergent views and opposition.
“Arbitrary or unlawful re-arrests undermine public confidence in the justice system and violate constitutional guarantees.
“It is imperative that all procedures in effecting such re-arrests strictly comply with the provisions of the law, including respecting their rights to legal representation, and ensuring that the arrest is supported by lawful authority.
“We urge the relevant authorities to ensure the release of Sowore unconditionally having met his bail conditions, ensure his rights are fully respected, and allow for due process to prevail,” he said.
