In a dramatic and disturbing turn of events at the Kuje Magistrate Court on Friday, October 24, 2025, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore was allegedly re-arrested by police officers moments after being granted bail by the court.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as a “shameful display of lawlessness” within the court premises. According to reports, a team of police officers led by CSP Iliyasu, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Vice unit, stormed the court in a show of force, disrupting proceedings and allegedly assaulting several individuals present.
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Sowore Granted Bail, Then Abducted
Earlier in the day, the magistrate had granted Sowore bail on liberal terms following his arrest during a peaceful protest. However, shortly after the court session ended, police operatives reportedly descended on Sowore, forcibly taking him away despite the subsisting bail order.
Lawyer and activist Tope Temokun, who was present at the scene, described the incident as a “brazen act of impunity” and an affront to the authority of the judiciary. He said he and several others were manhandled during the scuffle, sustaining minor injuries in the process.
“The officers, in the full glare of the public, violently abducted Sowore and whisked him away to an unknown destination,” Temokun stated. “This is not law enforcement it is executive brigandage and contempt for the rule of law.”
Judicial Authority Undermined
Reports indicate that Sowore was not taken to any correctional facility, sparking outrage among observers who described the act as a direct challenge to the court’s authority. The magistrate, who had earlier resisted attempts to frustrate Sowore’s bail, was commended for her courage in upholding the law despite pressure from security agents.
Temokun emphasized that the event represents a dark moment for Nigeria’s justice system and democracy. He called on the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and all advocates of democracy to condemn what he termed a “reckless desecration of the judiciary.”
Call for Accountability
Civil rights groups and concerned citizens are demanding that the police immediately comply with the court’s bail order and release Sowore in accordance with the rule of law.
“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man,” Temokun said. “What happened today is a wake-up call for all Nigerians this is not about enforcing the law, but about silencing voices of dissent.”
As of the time of this report, the police have not released an official statement regarding Sowore’s whereabouts.