NIGERIA: Sowore Confronts Security Agents In Abuja Court

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday clashed with security operatives at the Federal High Court, Abuja, after being blocked from entering the premises.

Sowore, visibly frustrated by the officers’ actions, challenged their authority, questioning why he was being obstructed.

“Do I look like Yahaya Bello?” he asked, referencing to the former Kogi State governor, who is currently facing corruption charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a video posted on his X handle, Sowore accused security agencies, including the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of hijacking the judiciary and turning the court premises into a militarized zone.

According to Sowore, the heavy security presence was because the EFCC had brought “a thief” (Bello) to court.

He further criticized the authorities for failing to arrest the former governor when he was declared wanted, only managing to detain him after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC office in Abuja.

“Why are you shouting at me? I have business in court. I don’t need clearance from the police or EFCC because none of you is an officer of the court. This is a Federal High Court; bring a court official, and I will talk to them. EFCC brought me to court, and they are still harassing us. You have no right to block my way,” Sowore told the officers.