Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has detailed how security operatives violently re-arrested human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore shortly after he was granted bail.

Adeyanju, one of the lawyers representing Sowore, alleged that more than 50 police officers attacked and forcefully took him away under the claim that they had obtained a new remand order.

“While we were conferring with him [Omoyele Sowore] right here, he was violently attacked by the police. More than 50 police officers assaulted him and took him away by force,” Adeyanju told journalists.

An eyewitness disclosed that police officers punched and dragged Sowore into a waiting vehicle outside the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja, despite the court having granted him bail.

Sources at the court said the incident occurred moments after the magistrate approved bail for Sowore and 13 others.

While his legal team was finalizing the bail process, police officers — led by CSP Ilyasu Barau, Officer-in-Charge of Anti-Vice under the DC-CID, FCT Command — reportedly pounced on Sowore, manhandled him, and forced him into a police van.

According to witnesses, Sowore was assaulted as he resisted the officers’ attempt to take him away without presenting a formal explanation.

“The IPO punched him, dragged him on the ground, and pushed him violently into the van. They really manhandled him,” one eyewitness said.

When Sowore’s lawyers demanded to see the alleged remand order, the officers reportedly refused to present any document.

“Police forcefully took Sowore to prison despite the bail granted to him. They cited a secret remand order,” another source said.

According to SaharaReporters, the police also attacked members of Sowore’s legal team during the confrontation.

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