The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations that the arrest of activist, Omoyele Sowore, was illegal or that he was tortured in custody.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday night, described the claims as false and “grossly misleading,” saying they were being fuelled by misinformation aimed at discrediting the police and its leadership.
Adejobi said Sowore was arrested over “credible and corroborated allegations” bordering on forgery, cyberstalking and other offences under active investigation. The arrest, he stressed, was carried out in full compliance with the law and constitutional safeguards.
According to him, Sowore was granted bail within the 48-hour constitutional limit as provided in Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution and informed of the allegations against him. He is expected to appear in court in the coming days.
On the viral image showing Sowore with a bandaged arm, Adejobi explained that the bandage was part of his personal belongings before his arrest. He added that the Inspector-General of Police ordered an internal inquiry to determine how he accessed it in detention, noting that Sowore repeatedly refused to undergo medical examinations by independent police medical teams.
The police spokesperson said a medical team from the Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital visited Sowore on August 7, and another led by the Force Medical Officer on August 8, but he declined both examinations. These refusals, he noted, were officially recorded.
Adejobi reiterated that the police maintain a zero-tolerance policy for torture in line with the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
He also dismissed claims of arbitrary detention, stating that Sowore’s remand was based on a valid court order.
“All actions taken in this case have been underpinned by legal authority, devoid of malice, bias, or political undertones,” Adejobi said, urging the media and the public to avoid sensationalism and verify information before publication.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to human rights protection, respect for the rule of law, and the pursuit of justice “without fear or favour,” stressing that no individual is above the law.