- Safiu Kehinde
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has claimed being denied access to arrested activist, Omoyele Sowore,
NPO earlier reported the arrest of the Sahara Reporters publisher at the Abuja Federal High Court’s premises on Thursday shortly after his meeting with embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore was accosted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the FCT Police Command with one of the officers stressing they were acting on an instruction from the Commissioner of Police.
The 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate however questioned the legality of the arrest.
While maintained that no formal invitation was extended to him, Sowore insisted his lawyer accompany him before being taken away in a police van.
In the wake of Sowore’s arrest, Inibehe, in a post on his X handle, disclosed that he has been detained at the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Abattoir located at Usape, Abuja.
He claimed that the officers denied him access to the facility, directing him to get clearance from the FCT Police Command.
“I have just been denied access to Omoyele Sowore at the former SARS Abattoir located at Usape, Abuja.
“The officers on duty insisted that I have to get clearance from the FCT Police Command Headquarters before they can give me access to Sowore. I have left the facility.” The lawyer wrote.
NPO Reported that the arrest of the Sahara Reporters publisher had however been linked to his role in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests held in Abuja on Monday and also in other cities across the country.
The protest had led to the arrest twelve persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor.
The are currently remanded in Kuje Prison following the demonstration demanding Kanu’s release.