The Nigerian police have issued a legal threat against prominent human rights activist Omoyele Sowore after he refused to provide a statement regarding a viral video that exposed alleged police extortion activities along the Airport Road in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The video, which has gained significant attention nationwide, depicted police officers stopping traffic to extort money from motorists.
Sowore, known for his vocal criticism of human rights abuses, shared the video on social media, drawing widespread public outrage and scrutiny.
Following the video’s circulation, the police invited Sowore for questioning regarding his involvement in the video.
On Monday morning, Sowore honored the police’s invitation, arriving around 9:50 am. He was accompanied by supporters who rallied in his defense, showing solidarity for his activism. However, reports from the scene indicated that officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) responded harshly, attempting to disperse Sowore’s supporters and suppress the growing public outcry.
A source close to the situation revealed, “He’s now in with his lawyers, and they are forcing him to write a statement. After seeing the reports, they now decided to take his statement, and he said the questions they were beginning to ask him were like trying to make him complicate himself, so he refused to write.”
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The source continued, “Now, they threatened him that since he refused to write, they are taking him to court. He then asked them, which court so we know, but they said they can’t tell him.”
Sowore’s legal team, which includes his lawyers Marshal Abubakar and Deji Adeyanju, is reportedly with him as he is being forced to write his statement. “He’s with his lawyers, Marshal Abubakar and Deji Adeyanju,” the source confirmed.
The invitation letter from the police requested Sowore’s presence for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), on January 27, 2025.
According to the police, they are investigating a range of alleged offenses in which Sowore’s name is prominently featured, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause grievous harm, intimidation, reckless acts, refusal to assist public servants, and cyberstalking.
Monday’s visit marks the latest interaction between Sowore and the police. In September 2024, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) was briefly detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests that swept the country in August.
Additionally, in February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed treasonable felony charges brought against Sowore in relation to the #RevolutionNow protest, after the Attorney General of the Federation filed a notice of discontinuance.
The situation remains fluid, and many are watching closely as the legal battle unfolds.
