The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reasons behind the detention of human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.
According to Commissioner of Police (CP) Abayomi Shogunle, who heads the Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS), Sowore is being held for allegedly refusing to provide a statement concerning petitions of forgery and criminal defamation filed against him.
Addressing protesters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday who were demanding Sowore’s release, CP Shogunle said two petitions were presented to Sowore in the presence of his lawyers.
“One petition concerns the forgery of a police document, which he allegedly published online. The law requires him to provide the source of that document,” Shogunle explained.
“The second petition relates to cyberbullying. Both petitions were shown to him in front of his legal representatives. However, he refused to make a statement, and this is on record.”
CP Shogunle emphasized that under Nigerian law, when an allegation is made, the accused is expected to respond.
“The same law that gives an individual the right to remain silent also imposes a duty on the police to follow legal procedures when a suspect chooses not to speak,” he said.
“We are professionals, and we are strictly adhering to the legal process.”
The CP stressed that Sowore was not coerced or forced to make a statement, maintaining that the law allows suspects to remain silent, but the police must then follow due process in line with that decision.
“We cannot release someone simply because they choose to remain silent. That does not negate our responsibilities under the law,” he added.
When asked why Sowore was being detained beyond the constitutional 24-hour limit, Shogunle reiterated that the police were operating within legal bounds.
“We are professionals. Every action taken so far has been in accordance with the law,” he said.
Addressing allegations of maltreatment and injury sustained by Sowore in detention, the CP offered to allow a few of the protesters to visit the detention facility to confirm that the activist was not being brutalized.
“He voluntarily came to the station, and when he refused to give a statement, an arrest order was issued. The law has been followed every step of the way,” Shogunle concluded.
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