In a significant development for human rights advocacy in Nigeria, prominent activist Omoyele Sowore, legal counsel to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu—Aloy Ejimakor—and 12 fellow protesters have been released from Kuje Prison in Abuja. According to sources familiar with the case, the group walked free on October 27, 2025, after successfully meeting stringent bail conditions imposed by the court. This release follows their detention during a high-profile #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration, highlighting ongoing tensions between protesters and authorities over demands for Kanu's unconditional freedom.
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| Sowore, 12 Other Protesters Released From Kuje Prison |
The detainees, including Kanu's younger brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, were apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force last week in the Federal Capital Territory during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow rally. Sources report that the protest aimed to draw attention to the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader held since 2021 on treason charges. Sowore, a former presidential aspirant and founder of Sahara Reporters, was specifically nabbed on Thursday shortly after exiting the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he had attended an unrelated hearing. The group faced arraignment on Friday before Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id on allegations of unlawful assembly and breaching public peace.
Magistrate Sai’id approved bail for each defendant at ₦500,000, coupled with requirements such as submitting verified National Identification Numbers (NIN), three-year tax clearance certificates, and passports to prevent absconding. Reports indicate that fulfilling these terms enabled their liberation on Monday. However, the process was not without hurdles. Ejimakor, Kanu's special counsel, suffered illness during his incarceration and was denied access to his attorney, Barrister Maxwell Opara, during a planned visit. He had endured tear gas exposure, physical assault, and overnight confinement in a notorious SARS facility dubbed the "Abattoir" before transfer to Kuje Magistrate Court—without legal counsel present. Sources allege the magistrate initially withheld signing Ejimakor's bail bond, prolonging his ordeal.
Amid the releases, a somber note emerged with the overnight death of awaiting-trial inmate Dung Bulus Pam at Kuje Correctional Center from an undisclosed illness. Prison insiders claim Pam was prosecuted by the same officer, Musa Adama, who oversaw the protesters' case. They accuse Adama of a pattern of fabricating charges, leading to extended detentions and potential miscarriages of justice, further fueling calls for systemic reforms in Nigeria's correctional and policing systems.
This episode underscores the perils faced by activists championing causes like Kanu's release, amid accusations of overreach by security forces. While the bail grants offer temporary relief, advocates warn that without addressing root issues—such as arbitrary arrests and judicial delays—similar incidents will persist. The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement continues to gain momentum, drawing global scrutiny to Nigeria's human rights landscape.
These details are based on verified accounts from legal and prison sources, emphasizing the need for transparent judicial processes. For updates on related cases, monitor official court announcements and human rights organizations.
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