Tension As Police Teargas, Bar Journalists, Lawyers From Entering Kuje Court Ahead Of Sowore’s Appearance
There are Heavily armed police officers on Monday barricaded the entrance to the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja, preventing journalists and lawyers from accessing the premises.
The security operatives arrived early in the morning and sealed off all access points without giving any reason for the restriction.
Lawyers and members of the press who attempted to enter the court were turned back, sparking confusion and speculation about the motive behind the action.
It was sighted a detachment of armed policemen with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) mounted at various locations ahead of the appearance of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, who was expected to be granted bail today after perfecting his bail conditions.
The police had earlier fired teargas canisters within the court premises to disperse some lawyers and Sowore’s associates who were in the court in solidarity with the activist.
Many lawyers and journalists who were in the court for different cases were also prevented from gaining access to the premises, causing altercations and confusion as they insisted on carrying out their legitimate duties.
Police Hilux vehicles were stationed at various locations outside the court premises, leading to heightened tension and anxiety in the area.
Some residents and passers-by were also reportedly harassed by the officers.
Efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls from journalists regarding the development.
Sowore was on Friday, October 24, 2025, beaten to a stupor by a team of armed policemen led by a senior officer, Ilyasu Barau, before he was rearrested and whisked away in a commando-style operation on the orders of the embattled Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, while waiting to perfect his bail conditions granted by the court.
The officers reportedly became enraged upon realising that Sowore had been granted bail by Magistrate Abubakar Sai’id, and threw caution to the wind in their attempt to re-arrest him.
