Supporters of human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of forcefully arresting and injuring him despite a court order remanding him in a correctional facility.
The allegation followed proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Mohammed Umar ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.
The court also dismissed an application by Sowore requesting the judge’s recusal over alleged bias and adjourned the matter until June 24, 2026, to hear the application for a stay of execution.
Shortly after the proceedings, Sowore’s supporters alleged that DSS operatives seized the activist within the court premises and attempted to take him into their custody, contrary to the court’s directive.
A live video streamed on Sowore’s Facebook page captured the moment a DSS operative grabbed him by the waist and dragged him away, while other operatives reportedly prevented his supporters from reaching him.
The incident sparked tension at the Federal High Court complex as Sowore’s supporters rushed to the gates and blocked vehicular and pedestrian movement in protest.
The protesters insisted that the court had specifically ordered Sowore’s remand in a correctional facility and not in the custody of either the DSS or the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking with journalists, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chairman of the AAC, Agena Roberts Ande, condemned the actions of the DSS and called for strict adherence to the court’s order.
“Today we came to court, and as you rightly know, there was an order from the court that Sowore should be provided in court. A bench warrant was given, Sowore accepted, and came to court by himself. Nobody forced him to come to court.
“And then a judgment was given that Sowore should be handed to the Correctional Service. The DSS went behind and kidnapped Sowore in court, even injuring him.
“That is why we all staged here and said no to that impunity. We said the government that designed the rules must obey the rule. If the court gives an order that Sowore should be given to the Correctional Service centre, Sowore should not be given to the police or the DSS,” he said.
Before the remand order was issued, Sowore had told journalists that he was prepared for the outcome and remained resolute in his activism.
“Nobody should be surprised. I have predicted before now that all these things would happen. But they are happening for a good reason: somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country.
“I am going to prison, but I will be out. And when I am out, I will be stronger, more ferocious, and face these people headlong. That is my message to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over alleged criminal defamation after he reportedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts on his X and Facebook accounts. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Umar had, on June 16, revoked Sowore’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official response to the allegations by Sowore’s supporters regarding his arrest and alleged injury within the court premises.
