Why we kept Sowore in our custody – Nigerian Police
Omoyele Sowore
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified the circumstances surrounding the detention of human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, head of the Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS), stated that Sowore is being held for refusing to provide a statement regarding petitions of forgery and criminal defamation filed against him.
Speaking to protesters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday who were demanding Sowore’s release, CP Shogunle explained that two petitions were formally presented to Sowore in the presence of his legal counsel.
“One petition concerns the alleged forgery of a police document which he purportedly published online. The law requires him to disclose the source of that document,” he said. “The second petition relates to cyberbullying. Both petitions were shown to him in front of his lawyers, but he refused to make a statement, and this refusal has been documented.”
CP Shogunle emphasized that Nigerian law obliges individuals accused of crimes to respond to allegations, but also respects the right to remain silent. “The same law that gives an individual the right to silence also imposes a duty on the police to follow due process when a suspect chooses not to speak,” he noted.
He maintained that Sowore was not coerced to make a statement and reiterated that the police are following legal procedures. “We cannot release someone simply because they choose to remain silent. That does not absolve us of our responsibilities under the law,” Shogunle said.
Regarding Sowore’s detention beyond the constitutionally mandated 24-hour period, the police commissioner reiterated that all actions are within the bounds of the law.
Addressing allegations of maltreatment during detention, CP Shogunle offered to allow a group of protesters to visit the detention facility to verify that Sowore is being treated appropriately. “He voluntarily came to the station. When he refused to give a statement, an arrest order was issued. We have followed the law every step of the way,” he concluded.
