RULAAC condemns arrest of Sowore, others over Free Nnamdi Kanu’s protest in Abuja
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has strongly condemned the latest arrest of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
The arrest is coming days after the police round off several others, including Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, for participating in the Free Nnamdi Kanu’s protest in Abuja
A statement signed by RULAAC’s executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said it is dangerous to arrest citizens for protesting, arguing that the right to peaceful assembly and expression is guaranteed by both Nigerian and international laws.
The statement reads: “The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) condemns in strong terms the arrest of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and several other peaceful protesters by the Nigeria Police Force during the recent Free Nnamdi Kanu protest in Abuja.
“According to the Police, the protesters were arrested for allegedly violating a court order restricting protests in certain areas of Abuja. The Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, claimed that Sowore “led the protesters into a restricted area,” describing his arrest as an act of “fair play.”
“RULAAC considers this justification both troubling and legally untenable. The right to peaceful assembly and expression is guaranteed by Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and reinforced by Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act – now part of Nigerian law. These rights cannot be suspended or overridden by any administrative or judicial order inconsistent with the Constitution.
“It is ironic and hypocritical that the same Nigeria Police and government that routinely flout valid court orders – such as those directing the release of Nnamdi Kanu or awarding compensation to victims of human-rights violations – now hide under the cover of a court order to suppress constitutionally protected peaceful protest. Selective obedience to court orders undermines both the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system.
“Peaceful protest is not a crime. It is a legitimate democratic tool for citizens to express dissent and demand accountability. Criminalizing protest or targeting human rights defenders like Sowore for exercising or facilitating constitutionally guaranteed freedoms is a dangerous step toward authoritarianism.
“RULAAC calls on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately and unconditionally release all arrested protesters and to desist from actions that violate citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. We also urge the judiciary to resist being used as an instrument for the suppression of civil liberties.
“Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while it continues to punish citizens for demanding justice and compliance with the rule of law.”
