The Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, has provided an explanation for the detention of Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), by the Nigeria Police Force.
Addressing protesters and members of the press in Abuja on Friday, CP Shogunle stated that Sowore’s arrest and subsequent detention followed his alleged refusal to provide a statement during police questioning.
Sowore’s detention has sparked nationwide protests by his supporters in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Osun, and Oyo, demanding his immediate release. The pro-democracy advocate had earlier responded to an invitation from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, where he was taken into custody.
Prior to his detention, Sowore had led a protest calling for improved welfare for retired police officers and had voiced strong criticisms about a recent promotion exercise within the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on Friday, in a video streamed by Sahara Reporters, the CP said there were two petitions against the activist.
“The two petitions against Omoyele Sowore were shown to him right in my presence. One bordered on forgery of a police document, which he published online, and we all know the position of the law. It is your duty to provide a source of how you came about the forged document. The second petition has to do with cyberbullying.
“The two petitions were shown to him in the presence of his lawyers. The issue now is that he refused to make a statement in the presence of his lawyers. It is in the record.
“And the procedure under the Nigerian law is very clear. When an allegation is made against you, you are called upon, you have a duty to put down your own position,” the CP said.
“The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also gives the police the responsibility of certain duties to do when somebody who has been alleged of an offence decides not to talk, which you’re also aware of. And I believe we’re professionals, and I believe the procedure as laid down by the law is being followed,” he said.
He said Sowore was not forced to make a statement despite his alleged refusal.
“He has the right to remain silent and the police also have the duties and responsibilities under the law to follow certain procedures once a suspect decides to keep mute. We won’t say because you have decided to keep mute, you can go, no.”
When asked by a lawyer why Sowore was being detained beyond the constitutional limit of 24 hours, the CP said, “We are professionals, we are following the provisions of the law. Everything needed to be followed under the law in keeping somebody is being followed.”
The CP offered to take a few protesters to where Sowore was being held to show that he was not being brutalised.
“The law is being followed regarding his apprehension and detention. He came himself, and the moment he refused to make a statement, his arrest was ordered,” Shogunle added.
