The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has reportedly directed the Nigeria Police Force to release detained human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore has been in custody since Wednesday, August 6, after honouring a police summons at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His arrest has led to nationwide condemnation with civil society groups expected to stage protests for Friday, August 8.
Sources familiar with the matter said the AGF’s directive to release Sowore was issued on Thursday in a bid to ease public tensions and preempt the planned demonstrations by the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, a group of Sowore’s supporters.
However, as of Thursday evening, Sowore remained in detention. He was reportedly moved from the Force Intelligence Department to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility at Old Abattoir, Abuja, where he is being held alongside criminal suspects, including alleged killer herdsmen.
Earlier in the day, reports emerged that Sowore was physically assaulted by at least eight police officers led by a Chief Superintendent of Police. He allegedly sustained injuries but declined treatment from a police nurse, demanding to be seen only by his personal doctor.
Sowore was invited by the police ove allegations of forgery and inciting public disturbance.
