The Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, has explained that human rights activist Omoyele Sowore is being detained because he refused to make a statement.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, is in police custody following petitions against him.
The development had triggered reactions, with many calling for his immediate release from custody.
Addressing protesters and the press in Abuja on Friday, Abayomi said Sowore’s arrest and detention were ordered after the activist allegedly refused to make a statement upon police interrogation.
In a video streamed by Sahara Reporters from the Force Headquarters, the CP said there were two petitions against the activist.
“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.
“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 on record.
“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,” the CP said.
