Lawyers representing Nigerian activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, have condemned his continued detention by the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as an act of political persecution and abuse of power.
They are calling for his immediate and unconditional release, warning that his safety is at risk.
In a statement released on Thursday, Sowore’s lead counsel, Tope Temokun, said the activist is being held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, following his arrest on August 6, 2025, after he voluntarily honoured a police invitation.
“Given the recent sequence of events and Sowore’s public criticism of the Inspector-General of Police, we have strong reasons to fear for his safety while in custody,” Temokun stated.
Temokun alleged that Sowore’s detention is directly linked to his persistent condemnation of Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, whom he has accused of unlawfully extending his tenure and fostering cronyism in the police promotion system.
Sowore recently led a peaceful protest on July 21 at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he highlighted poor working conditions for police officers and their inadequate retirement welfare. The demonstration drew support from retired officers and civil society groups.
“That protest was a legitimate civic exercise,” Temokun noted. “Rather than respond to the issues raised, the authorities have chosen to go after the person who raised them.”
The legal team also cited a troubling incident during the protest in which Sowore’s AI-powered smart glasses were allegedly stolen by an individual identified as Aku Victor Chiemerie, whom they claim has ties to the police. Despite multiple petitions filed over the theft, no action has reportedly been taken by the authorities.
“Instead of investigating the theft, the police have shifted their attention to silencing Sowore, raising serious concerns about institutional bias and abuse of power,” Temokun added.
Temokun also questioned the legality of the process that led to Sowore’s arrest, pointing out that one of the petitions underpinning his detention was filed by the police themselves.
“The police are acting as complainant, arresting authority, and investigator—this completely undermines any chance of impartiality or fair treatment,” he argued.
Sowore’s case adds to a growing pattern of alleged clampdowns on dissenting voices in Nigeria.
International organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Al Jazeera, and the BBC have previously documented cases of shrinking civic space and excessive use of police powers against critics of the government.
The legal team is calling for: The immediate release of Omoyele Sowore, The return of his confiscated AI smart glasses, and A formal investigation into the actions of senior police officials.
“This is not an investigation into a known crime,” Temokun concluded. “It is a targeted persecution fueled by personal vendetta. If anything happens to Sowore while in custody, the Inspector-General of Police must be held accountable.”
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
