Sowore to Sue Nigerian Police Over Recent Detention

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and human rights activist, has decided to file a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force.

His legal team describes his recent detention as involving “inhumane treatment.”

In a statement released on Saturday, his lawyer, Tope Temokun, claimed that during a violent attempt to forcibly move him from one cell to another at around 6 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, police officers fractured Sowore’s arm.

The team dismissed the police’s official statement, which asserted that Sowore arrived at their facility with a bandage, labeling it as “false, self-indicting, and illogical.”

Temokun called on the police to release a list of Sowore’s belongings that were confiscated during his arrest, to substantiate their assertions.

The statement indicates that Sowore was prevented from seeing his own medical team and was instead provided treatment by an unqualified first-aider, without the benefit of X-rays or a proper diagnosis.

The lawyers stated that his decision to decline an examination by police medical personnel was intended to prevent any “manipulation of evidence” by those allegedly responsible for the injury.

The legal team also criticized the police for disregarding other allegations, such as an officer’s alleged theft of Sowore’s Ray-Ban AI glasses, while swiftly issuing public denials regarding the assault claims.

Temokun contended that Sowore’s decision not to write a statement, which the police used as grounds for his detention, falls within his constitutional rights.

The team referred to Section 35(2) of the Nigerian Constitution along with Section 60(1) of the Police Act 2020.

“The undeniable fact is that Omoyele Sowore’s arm was broken while he was in police custody. We will explore all suitable legal actions, including filing petitions with the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission,” Temokun stated.

After spending two days in custody, Sowore was released on Friday evening.

However, his legal team states that a “comprehensive account” will be requested from all officers involved.

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