Police explain continued detention of Sowore over refusal to make statement

The Commissioner of Police overseeing the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, has offered an official explanation for the ongoing detention of rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

Speaking to journalists and protesters in Abuja on Friday, CP Shogunle revealed that Sowore’s continued detention was due to his alleged refusal to provide a statement during police interrogation.

Sowore had voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit and appeared at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. However, rather than being released after the meeting, the activist was taken into custody and has remained detained since then.

Protests demanding Sowore’s release have since erupted across several states, including Lagos, Osun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory. The activist recently spearheaded a demonstration advocating for improved welfare for retired police officers and has been openly critical of a recent promotion exercise within the Nigeria Police Force.

In a video shared by Sahara Reporters, the police commissioner revealed that two petitions had been filed against Sowore.

“The two petitions against Omoyele Sowore were shown to him right in my presence. One bordered on forgery of a police document, which he published online, and we all know the position of the law. It is your duty to provide a source of how you came about the forged document. The second petition has to do with cyberbullying,” Shogunle said.

“The two petitions were shown to him in the presence of his lawyers. The issue now is that he refused to make a statement in the presence of his lawyers. It is in the record.”

He further stressed that the legal framework requires suspects to respond to allegations, even though they have the right to remain silent.

“And the procedure under the Nigerian law is very clear. When an allegation is made against you, you are called upon, you have a duty to put down your own position,” he said.

“The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also gives the police the responsibility of certain duties to do when somebody who has been alleged of an offence decides not to talk, which you’re also aware of. And I believe we’re professionals, and I believe the procedure as laid down by the law is being followed.”

He clarified that Sowore’s silence during interrogation did not lead to any form of coercion.

“He has the right to remain silent and the police also have the duties and responsibilities under the law to follow certain procedures once a suspect decides to keep mute. We won’t say because you have decided to keep mute, you can go, no.”

Responding to a lawyer’s inquiry about the legality of detaining Sowore beyond the constitutionally permitted 24 hours, the CP maintained that due process was being followed.

“We are professionals, we are following the provisions of the law. Everything needed to be followed under the law in keeping somebody is being followed,” he said.

Shogunle also offered to allow a few of the protesters to see Sowore in detention, emphasizing that the activist was not being mistreated.

“The law is being followed regarding his apprehension and detention. He came himself, and the moment he refused to make a statement, his arrest was ordered,” he added.