There was a mild drama on Friday at the premises of the Kuje Magistrate Court, Abuja, as police officers allegedly assaulted and re-arrested activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, shortly after he was granted bail.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred moments after Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id approved bail for Sowore and 13 others who were arrested during the recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports, as Sowore’s lawyers were finalising his bail conditions, police operatives led by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), CSP Ilyasu Barau, Officer in Charge of Anti-Vice under the DC-CID, FCT Command, descended on the activist and allegedly beat him before forcing him into a waiting van.
“The IPO punched him, dragged him on the ground, and forced him into the van. They really manhandled him,” an eyewitness said.
“When we asked to see the remand order they claimed to have obtained, the officer refused to show any document.
“The police took Sowore away to Kuje Prison despite his bail, citing a secret remand order,” another source added.
Those granted bail alongside Sowore include Aloy Ejimakor, lawyer to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu; his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and eleven others.
The defendants had earlier been arraigned on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.