“Sowore, Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Released from Kuje Prison After ‘Illegal Detention’ — Speaks on Experience

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Aloy Ejimakor, lawyer to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, have regained their freedom after spending four days in Kuje Prison.

Announcing his release on Monday, October 27, 2025, Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Happening Now: Leaving Kuje Prison in Abuja after being detained there illegally for four days. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”

Sowore was detained last week following his appearance at the Kuje Magistrate Court.

Bail Granted After Friday’s Arraignment

On Friday, the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja granted bail to Sowore, Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu (brother to Nnamdi Kanu), and ten others arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in the Federal Capital Territory.

The presiding judge, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id, approved bail after the defendants were arraigned on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.

Each defendant was granted ₦500,000 bail, with two sureties residing in the FCT, valid identification, three years’ tax clearance, and the submission of their passports.

‘Traumatic Experience’ — Ejimakor Speaks Out

Following their release, Ejimakor described his detention experience as “traumatic and inhumane,” condemning the police for excessive use of force during and after the protest.

“The experience was traumatic for me, for my colleagues, for everybody. People cooperating with the police were shoved, beaten, and some sustained injuries. Tear gas canisters were deployed directly at most of us. Two even hit me.

If we didn’t have strong lungs, some of us would have given up the ghost on the spot. I don’t think that type of brutality has a place in a well-ordered modern society,” he said.

Ejimakor further criticised the police for what he called “unlawful and unnecessary brutality,” revealing that officers continued to deploy tear gas even after protesters were under control.

“Even at the police headquarters, CID Garki, they deployed several canisters of tear gas just to get us into vehicles. That was unlawful and unnecessary — pure executive rascality,” he added.

‘Our Protest Was Against the Presidency, Not the Judiciary’

Clarifying the motive behind the protest, Ejimakor said:

“If the presidency or the attorney general withdraws the case, the court will have nothing to try. Our protest was directed at President Tinubu, urging him to end Kanu’s unjust prosecution.”

Sowore’s Lawyer Alleges Premeditated Detention

Sowore’s counsel, Temitope Temokun, speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, alleged that despite meeting bail conditions within 30 minutes of the court ruling, police officers forcefully whisked Sowore away to Kuje Prison.

Temokun described the incident as “unnecessary and premeditated,” claiming that over ten armed officers assaulted individuals recording the scene.

He further stated that the police had no valid authorisation to transfer Sowore to prison, describing the detention as “illegal and poorly disguised as a remand process.”

Police Charges and Allegations

The police charged Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others with inciting public disturbance and breach of peace following the protest.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly obstructed traffic, denied citizens free movement, and chanted war songs while demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Sowore had earlier accused security operatives of launching an unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu rally in Abuja.

Omoyele Sowore and Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, regain freedom after four days in Kuje Prison — describe detention as ‘traumatic and illegal.