Sowore Reportedly Manhandled During Police Interrogation Amid Legal Dispute

Omoyele Sowore, prominent human rights advocate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, was allegedly subjected to physical harassment by police officers during an interrogation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to credible sources familiar with the incident, the confrontation arose during a disagreement over the process of conducting a physical search. Sowore reportedly objected to being searched without formal documentation and demanded that proper procedures be followed in accordance with the law. The situation reportedly escalated into a physical altercation in the presence of his legal representatives.

Sowore, known for his uncompromising stance on civil liberties and anti-corruption advocacy, further insisted on seeing the original petition filed against him, which allegedly accuses him of criminal defamation and forgery. The request was said to have aggravated tensions in the interrogation room.

At the time of reporting, Sowore had not been released, and his legal team expressed concern that the delay in his release—pending the arrival of a Deputy Inspector General of Police—could be a tactic to justify unlawful detention.

The latest development follows a controversial police summons initially issued on August 4, 2025. The letter referenced a non-existent section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and included charges considered legally defective. The police subsequently withdrew the flawed invitation and reissued a corrected notice on August 5 through Sowore’s legal counsel. The revised document excluded incitement allegations and retained charges of defamation and forgery, with a scheduled meeting on August 6 at 11:30 a.m.

Despite assurances that the petition would be presented during the interrogation, the document had yet to be made available as of press time.

Sources indicate that Sowore arrived at the Force Headquarters with personal belongings, apparently prepared for possible detention. Prior to the meeting, he issued a public call urging fellow activists and pro-democracy advocates to show solidarity.

This confrontation follows his recent involvement in a protest by retired police officers and his public accusation that a police operative stole his AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses during a demonstration.

Public reaction to the incident has been swift, with a wave of online commentary condemning the police for what is widely perceived as ongoing harassment of dissenting voices. Supporters have warned of immediate protests if the activist is detained beyond the legally permissible timeframe.

Sowore, however, has reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful resistance, stating that he remains undeterred by what he described as intimidation tactics.