The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the arraignment of rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged contravention of a court order in relation to the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest held on Monday.

Mr Sowore was arrested by police officers on the premises of the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday while attending a court case between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.

Speaking during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Mr Sowore was arrested over alleged “contravention of a court order,” and would be arraigned immediately.

“So, it’ll be unfair if we moved so fast to charge some people to court and leave the person that led them to commit that — more like their leader — the elite protester who told them and took them into the restricted areas,” Mr Hundeyin said.

Mr Hundeyin further stated that the 13 persons including Mr Kanu’s lawyer and his brother — Aloy Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu, had told the police that they were led into carrying out the protest by Mr Sowore.

“And that’s why in the spirit of fair play and to ensure that justice is served, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today, and like the others too, he wouldn’t spend time with us, he wouldn’t spend up to 24 hours with us. Once we wrap up the charges, he’s going to be prosecuted. In fact, if everything goes right, our plan is to ensure that he’s prosecuted today. He goes to court today. That would be the latest on the Nnamdi Kanu protest,” the Force PRO noted.

Mr Sowore on Monday led the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja. Though the police had earlier obtained a court order restricting the protesters from marching into or through the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Eagles Square, Unity Fountain, however, our correspondent who covered the protest observed that Mr Sowore and other protesters protested around the Transcorp Hilton Hotel premises, Berger bus stop, Utako and Jabbi markets, and Apo Mechanic and Apo Resettlement areas of Abuja, as the police, military and other security agencies cordoned off the restricted areas on Monday.