HURIWA demands Sowore’s release, condemns police brutality

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukoyede Egbetokun, to release activist Omoyele Sowore immediately and issue an apology for what it described as police brutality.

The activist is being detained at a police facility in Abuja, previously used by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

HURIWA, in a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, decried Sowore’s detention as illegal and arbitrary.

The activist, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, had been summoned over his exposé on alleged police extortion in Lagos. However, he rejected the bail terms, which required him to present a Level 16 civil servant as a surety and surrender his international passport.

Sowore described the conditions as unconstitutional and an infringement on his fundamental rights.

His lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), backed his position, citing a Court of Appeal ruling in Dasuki v. Director-General, DSS, which declared such bail conditions illegal. Falana argued that involving public servants in bail arrangements violated civil service rules and undermined anti-corruption efforts.

Sowore’s detention has drawn public outcry, with the Take It Back Movement renewing calls for transparency in police practices.

HURIWA criticised the police for worsening since the 2020 #EndSARS protests, warning of the potential for fresh demonstrations against police misconduct.

“Police extortion and armed robberies by officers have become endemic, especially in the South-East,” HURIWA said, adding that Sowore’s actions in exposing police corruption were commendable. It accused the police of shielding corrupt officers while targeting whistle-blowers like Sowore.

The group demanded Sowore’s immediate release, asserting that his detention was a “clear endorsement of corruption” by the police hierarchy.