The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), stating that he was taken into custody for allegedly leading protesters into a restricted area in Abuja in defiance of a court order.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday, explaining that Sowore’s arrest followed testimonies from previously detained protesters who claimed he led them to the restricted zone.

“Today, Omoyele Sowore has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested. The reason is straightforward. The thirteen people previously arrested all mentioned that Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin stated.

He further explained that it would be unfair to prosecute only those earlier detained while exempting the person they identified as the leader of the group.

According to Hundeyin, eight protesters were arrested on Monday in front of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, while five others were apprehended near the Ministry of Finance, bringing the number of suspects to thirteen. “They were arraigned the very next day and did not spend up to 24 hours in our custody,” he noted.

The police spokesperson added that Sowore would also be arraigned once investigations are concluded.

Hundeyin emphasized that the demonstration was carried out in breach of a restriction order issued to maintain public order in designated areas of the Federal Capital Territory.