₦airaland Forum

Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is allegedly facing grave danger while in detention, according to a statement released by his legal counsel, Tope Temokun.

Sowore was arrested on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after honoring a police invitation from the Inspector-General of Police’s Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The invitation, which reportedly pertained to allegations of forgery and defamation, has since snowballed into a full-blown human rights controversy. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

According to his lawyer, Mr. Temokun, Sowore’s brief detention turned into an ordeal when he was allegedly brutalized and forcibly moved to an undisclosed location in the early hours of Thursday. The physical assault reportedly dislocated his right arm, and he was then transferred to what his legal team described as an underground cell.

The most alarming development, however, came with allegations that noxious gas was released into the cell where Sowore was initially held—a tactic the legal team believes was a deliberate attempt on his life.

“A Calculated Attempt to Kill Him”

“This is not negligence or incompetence,” Temokun stated. “It is a calculated attempt to break Sowore physically and psychologically. These unfolding horrors are not coincidental—they are deliberate, they are targeted, and they are evil.”

Temokun compared Sowore’s current ordeal to the historical cases of Chief Gani Fawehinmi and MKO Abiola, both of whom allegedly suffered chemical attacks while in detention. “We know these tactics; we’ve seen them used on voices the government wants to silence,” he warned.

Unlawful Detention and Human Rights Concerns

Despite voluntarily responding to the police invitation, Sowore was detained without clear charges and without legal justification. Human rights groups and civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the arrest and subsequent treatment as politically motivated repression.

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that Sowore’s arm was visibly broken during his forced transfer to court and called for his immediate release.

Other prominent Nigerian lawyers have also criticized the incident, citing violations of due process, abuse of power, and growing concerns over rising authoritarianism.

Sowore’s “Crime”? Speaking Truth to Power

Sowore’s lawyers argue that the only “crime” he is guilty of is his relentless criticism of government policies and actions. Notably, he had recently challenged the legality of IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s continued stay in office beyond the constitutionally mandated retirement age.

“This is not law enforcement—it is state terrorism,” Temokun declared. “If anything happens to Sowore, the Nigeria Police Force and those responsible will be held fully accountable before both the law and the Nigerian people.”

A Call for Justice

As the situation unfolds, Nigerians and international observers are keeping a close eye on the fate of Omoyele Sowore. Civil society has called for a full investigation into his treatment, transparency from the police, and accountability at the highest levels.

Meanwhile, the legal team insists on his immediate and unconditional release, a public apology, and assurances that such violations will never happen again.

alphonsoolajide:
https://eyesoflagos.com/sowores-lawyers-cry-foul-allege-life-threatening-conditions-in-police-custody/

flexyrule:
Omoh this life ehn.. Hustling dey class by class..

9 to 5 blue collar
Business owner
30k Social Media Crew
Human in animal form social media hustling
Anti-Police/Government Activist

Sowore seems to be enjoying all this persecution, albeit the engagements he receives from the media and grants from foreign donors could be another motivation for him.

I admire his hustle anyway.

alphonsoolajide:
https://eyesoflagos.com/sowores-lawyers-cry-foul-allege-life-threatening-conditions-in-police-custody/

Brendaniel:
And Tinubu supporters wants us to believe that Tinubu is different from Abacha

christejames:
Ru.bbish, the SUG president should keep playing to the gallery...


No sane person takes that dude serious.

christejames:
Ru.bbish, the SUG president should keep playing to the gallery...


No sane person takes that dude serious.

kentokay71:
Any thing you like you can believe, when he was behaving as if he is the owner of nigeria, you did not see him then and warn him, now you are crying, he got what he asked for, is he the only activist in the country?, and even all the gragra is just to gain popularity ,see where he land himself now

alphaconde:
If there is anyone here who knows how Nigeria can be better, let the person explain it to me.

Because from what i see and understand, its easier for things to get worse than to get better