Police breaks silence: Why Sowore is still being detained

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, has outlined the reasons for the detention of 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday while addressing demonstrators and journalists, Shogunle said Sowore was taken into custody after allegedly refusing to give a formal statement during police questioning.

Sowore’s supporters had mounted protests in multiple states, including Lagos, Abuja, Osun and Oyo, demanding his release.

The Punch reports that the campaigner had honoured an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police’s Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters on Wednesday, but was detained afterwards.

According to Shogunle, two separate petitions were lodged against him, which involved the alleged forgery of a police document which was later circulated online.

“The law is clear, if you are found in possession of a forged document, you must explain its origin,” he explained. The second petition, he added, accused Sowore of cyberbullying.

He noted that the petitions were presented to Sowore in the presence of his legal team and that he declined to make any statement despite his lawyers being present.

The police chief stressed that while Nigerian law allows suspects to remain silent, it also empowers the police to take certain steps if an accused person refuses to speak.

“We cannot simply release someone because they choose not to talk,” he said, adding that “We are following the law to the letter.”

Responding to concerns from lawyers about detaining Sowore beyond the 24-hour constitutional limit, Shogunle insisted that due process was being observed.

“We are professionals. Every legal requirement for holding a suspect is being complied with,” he maintained.

Shogunle also offered to take a select group of protesters to see Sowore’s condition in custody, assuring them he was not being mistreated.

“He came here voluntarily. Once he declined to make a statement, the arrest was authorised, and all procedures are in line with the law,” he said.

Source; PM News